Shoot herbivory by grasshoppers has stronger effects on root morphology than clipping

Abstract Studies investigating the effect of aboveground herbivory on plants often use clipping to simulate effects herbivores, for practical reasons. However, herbivore movements and transfer oral secretions during may cause a different response in plant physiology morphology compared clipping. While studies have real vs. biomass production, physiology, shoot morphology, no study has such root morphology. Therefore, we investigated by grasshoppers, simulated clipping, morphological traits ten grassland species. Root were differently affected two treatments. Grasshopper significantly changed toward thinner roots with increased specific length area, decreased tissue density untreated control plants. Clipping had mostly similar, but weaker than grasshopper herbivory. On species level, led strongest changes almost all cases. In contrast, depending species, resulted varying trait values similar grasshopper-damaged plants, or some cases, more closely aligned Though was partly able mimic results also indicate that, stronger effects. We, therefore, recommend that future apply herbivores better reflect natural responses related processes mediate.