Lack of Induced Chemical Defense in Juvenile Alaskan USA Woody Plants in Response to Simulated Browsing

Authors

F.S. Chapin, III
J.P. Bryant
J.F. Fox

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Oecologia

Volume

67

Issue

4

First Page

457

Last Page

459

Publication Date

1985

Abstract

Juvenile individuals of five species of Alaskan trees and shrubs were clipped at six levels of intensity and sampled for resin, tannin, nutrient, and carbohydrate content. Clipping caused no induction of putative defensive compounds (resins or tannins), indicating that the high level of resin found in many Alaskan woody plants in response to browsing is best explained as a reversion to a juvenile growth stage rather than an induction of a specific chemical defense.

Recommended Citation

Chapin, F.S., Bryant, J.P. & Fox, J.F. Lack of induced chemical defense in juvenile Alaskan woody plants in response to simulated browsing. Oecologia 67, 457–459 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00790014