Does Ungulate Herbivory Translate into Diversity of Woody Plants? A Long-Term Study in a Montane Forest Ecosystem in Austria

Different species-specific traits of woody plant species, feeding preferences herbivores together with resulting effects on competition are expected to translate into different community structures and expressions biodiversity. We studied the diversity species (trees shrubs) structural forest trees, using a 30-year an 18-year dataset ungulate exclosure-control plot pairs in mixed alpine Austria. surveyed tallest individuals per tree analyzed collective top-height pair. Incidence data for exclosure control plots were aggregated. Comparing height classes throughout time, we calculated profiles based Hill numbers. Diversity top diversity, expressed by classes, two aspects that differed between exclosures plots. Other estimates showed huge variation without significant differences Height growth was significantly suppressed herbivory. Effects ecosystems highly complex context-dependent thus not reducible simple top-down forces. Long-term surveys provide reflect “ultimate” herbivory interacting other drivers dynamics.