No evidence for the simultaneous induction of structural and chemical defences in spiny southern African savanna trees

It is still not well established whether plant chemical and physical defence traits can be simultaneously induced in savanna trees how this would affect nutritional quality. Here, we use a long-term mammalian herbivore exclosure experiment dystrophic semi-arid African to test (condensed tannins [CTs] total polyphenols [TPs]) structural (spines thorns) defences are affected by exclusion five common woody species. We also tested quality interacted with either or after protected were reintroduced herbivores. Trees that remained available herbivores did increase CTs TPs, rather these found higher without herbivory some In contrast, resulted significant induction of (i.e. longer thicker spines) at the same time, improved crude protein lower C:N ratios) for treatment which previously excluded mostly similar control, both differed from exclosure, suggesting legacies on short-lived.