Plant competition under simultaneous adaptation by herbivores and pollinators

Two plants can influence one another indirectly by affecting population dynamics of shared exploiters and/or mutualists, giving rise to apparent competition or mutualism, respectively. Indirect interactions between also occur when the preferences and mutualists adapt changes in relative plant densities. Here we study simultaneous effects adaptive herbivore pollinator on two competing populations. As a result feedbacks animal preferences, coexist at alternative stable states. This outcome is favored low abundances herbivores pollinators consumers tend specialize single plant. increase, generalism becomes more common. promotes coexistence balancing antagonistic mutualistic plants. Plant community become predictable due reduction number shows that global decline insect populations lead structural communities are difficult predict.