The root herbivore history of the soil affects the productivity of a grassland plant community and determines plant response to new root herbivore attack.

Insect root herbivores can alter plant community structure by affecting the competitive ability of single plants. However, their effects can be modified by the soil environment. Root herbivory itself may induce changes in the soil biota community, and it has recently been shown that these changes can affect plant growth in a subsequent season or plant generation.