Effect of non-native species on taxonomic and functional diversity of fish communities in different river types

Recent researches suggest that functional diversity represents the response of communities to environmental alterations better than taxonomic diversity. However, there is scarce information about how the functional diversity of freshwater fishes is affected by habitat type and the dominance of non-native species. To address this question, we analysed a large database containing 15 morpho-functional traits of 61 fish species from the Pannon Biogeographic region (Hungary). Based on a fish faunistic list and relative abundance of taxa, we quantified the taxonomic and functional diversity of riverine communities for?>?700 sites of six habitat types. We asked how non-native fishes affected the taxonomic and functional diversity in different river types and at the local scale (i.e. at the site level), and how the diversity measures of native fauna elements changes along the invasion gradient. Our results showed that both functional and taxonomic richness increases with habitat complexity, from small headwater streams to large rivers. Therefore taxonomic diversity served as a good proxy for functional diversity along the environmental gradient of river types. Non-natives showed considerable functional diversity relative to their species number in each habitat type. Diversity values of native fauna elements initially increased, and then showed a major decrease along the invasion gradient. River type-specific evaluations highlighted the importance of considering the proliferation of invasive species based on both taxonomic and functional diversity indices. We argue that type-specific action plans are needed in conservation management to preserve the taxonomic and functional diversity of native fishes in Hungary, but also elsewhere.

     

Effects of grazing intensity in grasslands of the Espinal of central Chile

Question: How is grazing intensity associated with species and morpho‐functional traits (MFTs) composition, productivity and richness of annual dominated grasslands? Have native and exotic species similar associations to this gradient? Location: Anthropogenic grassland in the Espinal vegetation in the sub‐humid area of the mediterranean type climate region of Chile (35°58’ S, 72°17’ W). Methods: Data were obtained from a long‐term (eight years) experiment with six stocking rates (1 to 3.5 sheep/ha). Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) and regression analysis were used to determinate the relationship between grazing intensity and biomass, richness, abundance and traits of the species. Results: The first DCA axis was related to grazing intensity and explained most of the floristic variation (69.3%); the abundance of some non‐native species, e.g. Vulpia megalura were highly correlated with this axis. In the DCA for MFTs the first axis explained 87% of the variance and was also related to grazing intensity; the abundance of small size plants and shallow roots increased with grazing intensity. The relative abundance of grasses and composites, but not of legumes, changed with stocking rate: as grazing intensity increased composites became the predominant species to the detriment of grasses. The above‐ground biomass measured in exclusion cages declined with increasing grazing pressure. The richness of exotic species was greater compared to native ones at low stocking rates, but they converge to similar values at higher stocking rates. However, the relative abundance of exotic species was greater than 75% in all stocking rates. Conclusions: Grazing intensification has large effects in the structure of grassland in central Chile. With grazing intensities greater than 1 sheep/ha species characteristics change; evolving in a few years (6–8) towards a similar community regardless of the stocking rate. The overgrazed community has more native than exotic species richness, possibly due to greater defence traits against herbivory of this group of species.     

放牧强度对内蒙古典型草原糙隐子草功能性状的影响

研究糙隐子草株高、丛幅等11个性状指标对不同强度放牧(不放牧;5、7月两次放牧;全生长季5次放牧)的响应.结果表明:以不放牧为对照,经过连续5年的放牧处理,糙隐子草的生殖枝数、株高、茎质量、比叶面积和总叶面积显著降低,5、7月放牧处理各指标降幅分别为61.7％、21.5％、33.3％、21.6％、26.7％,全生长季放...     

Invasive and Non-Invasive Congeners Show Similar Trait Shifts between Their Same Native and Non-Native Ranges

Differences in morphological or ecological traits expressed by exotic species between their native and non-native ranges are often interpreted as evidence for adaptation to new conditions in the non-native ranges. In turn this adaptation is often hypothesized to contribute to the successful invasion of these species. There is good evidence for rapid evolution by many exotic invasives, but the extent to which these evolutionary changes actually drive invasiveness is unclear. One approach to resolving the relationship between adaptive responses and successful invasion is to compare traits between populations from the native and non-native ranges for both exotic invaders and congeners that are exotic but not invasive. We compared a suite of morphological traits that are commonly tested in the literature in the context of invasion for three very closely related species of Centaurea, all of which are sympatric in the same native and non-native ranges in Europe and North America. Of these, C. solstitialis is highly invasive whereas C. calcitrapa and C. sulphurea are not. For all three species, plants from non-native populations showed similar shifts in key traits that have been identified in other studies as important putative adaptive responses to post-introduction invasion. For example, for all three species plants from populations in non-native ranges were (i) larger and (ii) produced seeds that germinated at higher rates. In fact, the non-invasive C. calcitrapa showed the strongest trait shift between ranges. Centaurea solstitialis was the only species for which plants from the non-native range increased allocation to defensive spines, and allocated proportionally less resources to reproduction, patterns contrary to what would be predicted by theory and other empirical studies to enhance invasion. Our results suggest caution when interpreting the commonly observed increase in size and reproductive capacity as factors that cause exotics to become invaders.     

Contrasting patterns of intraspecific trait variability in native and non-native plant species along an elevational gradient on Tenerife,Canary Islands

Background and AimsNon-native plant species are not restricted to lowlands, but increasingly are invading high elevations. While for both native and non-native species we expected variability of plant functional traits due to the changing environmental conditions along elevational gradients, we additionally assumed that non-native species are characterized by a more acquisitive growth strategy, as traits reflecting such a strategy have been found to correlate with invasion success. Furthermore, the typical lowland introduction of non-native species coming from multiple origins should lead to higher trait variability within populations of non-native species specifically at low elevations, and they might therefore occupy a larger total trait space.MethodsAlong an elevational gradient ranging from 55 to 1925 m a.s.l. on Tenerife, we collected leaves from eight replicate individuals in eight evenly distributed populations of five native and six non-native forb species. In each population, we measured ten eco-morphological and leaf biochemical traits and calculated trait variability within each population and the total trait space occupied by native and non-native species.Key ResultsWe found both positive (e.g. leaf dry matter content) and negative (e.g. leaf N) correlations with elevation for native species, but only few responses for non-native species. For non-native species, within-population variability of leaf dry matter content and specific leaf area decreased with elevation, but increased for native species. The total trait space occupied by all non-native species was smaller than and a subset of that of native species.ConclusionsWe found little evidence that intraspecific trait variability is associated with the success of non-native species to spread towards higher elevations. Instead, for non-native species, our results indicate that intermediate trait values that meet the requirements of various conditions are favourable across the changing environmental conditions along elevational gradients. As a consequence, this might prevent non-native species from overcoming abruptly changing environmental conditions, such as when crossing the treeline.     

入侵植物的繁殖策略以及对本土植物繁殖的影响

理解入侵生物的繁殖策略是阐明生物入侵机制的一个重要方面。入侵植物常表现出一些共同的繁殖特征, 如以两性花为主的性系统、自动自交为主的繁育系统或不依赖传粉媒介的无融合生殖和无性繁殖以及高生殖投资的资源配置策略等。成功入侵的外来植物通过影响本土的传粉者, 在种群和群落水平上影响本土植物的有性繁殖, 甚至促使某些本土植物在繁殖对策和表型性状上发生快速转变。目前, 入侵植物繁殖策略及其生态效应的研究多侧重于入侵种的快速演化, 而有关外来植物与本土植物间的相互影响及其可能存在的协同适应研究还较为缺乏。探讨本土植物在外来种入侵压力下的繁殖对策和响应机制, 将丰富人们对物种间竞争、共存及群落构建等机制的深入了解。从繁殖和适应的角度探求入侵植物与本土植物之间的复杂关系, 将有助于解析生物入侵的机制及人类干扰下的物种演化规律, 也为预测和防控入侵植物提供科学依据。     

Evaluating Ecosystem Services Provided by Non-Native Species: An Experimental Test in California Grasslands

The concept of ecosystem services – the benefits that nature provides to human''s society – has gained increasing attention over the past decade. Increasing global abiotic and biotic change, including species invasions, is threatening the secure delivery of these ecosystem services. Efficient evaluation methods of ecosystem services are urgently needed to improve our ability to determine management strategies and restoration goals in face of these new emerging ecosystems. Considering a range of multiple ecosystem functions may be a useful way to determine such strategies. We tested this framework experimentally in California grasslands, where large shifts in species composition have occurred since the late 1700''s. We compared a suite of ecosystem functions within one historic native and two non-native species assemblages under different grazing intensities to address how different species assemblages vary in provisioning, regulatory and supporting ecosystem services. Forage production was reduced in one non-native assemblage (medusahead). Cultural ecosystem services, such as native species diversity, were inherently lower in both non-native assemblages, whereas most other services were maintained across grazing intensities. All systems provided similar ecosystem services under the highest grazing intensity treatment, which simulated unsustainable grazing intensity. We suggest that applying a more comprehensive ecosystem framework that considers multiple ecosystem services to evaluate new emerging ecosystems is a valuable tool to determine management goals and how to intervene in a changing ecosystem.     

Intensity-dependent effects of cattle and sheep grazing in sand grasslands — Does livestock type really matter?

Aims

By analysing cattle- and sheep-grazed sand grasslands, we tested the following hypotheses: (i) livestock type has a stronger effect on the vegetation characteristics than grazing intensity; (ii) sheep grazing results in lower biomass and species and functional diversity than cattle grazing, regardless of intensity; and (iii) increased grazing intensity causes a shift of the trait composition in grasslands.

Location

Sand grasslands in the Nyírség region, East Hungary.

Methods

We selected 26 sand grassland sites grazed by cattle or sheep and classified them into four intensity levels. Vegetation composition was surveyed in 2 m × 2 m plots. We harvested the above-ground biomass from 20 cm × 20 cm plots; then dried and sorted it to live biomass, litter, moss, and lichen. We compared Rao dissimilarity index, species richness, Shannon diversity, evenness, and the community-weighted means of nine vegetative and generative traits along a grazing intensity gradient. We calculated functional richness, evenness, and divergence for comparison.

Results

We found that some diversity metrics and community-weighted means of most studied traits were significantly affected by grazing intensity. Several characteristics were also affected by the interaction of grazing intensity and livestock type, but none of the studied characteristics was affected by livestock type in itself. Increasing Rao dissimilarity index peaking at the fourth grazing intensity level was detected, but for other multitrait indices, no such changes were proven, except for functional divergence, which was the lowest at the first intensity level. Graminoid, forb, and litter biomass were significantly affected by intensity, but none of the biomass fractions was affected by livestock type.

Conclusions

We suggest that for the management of sand grasslands, grazing intensity should be carefully adjusted, considering not only livestock units per hectare. For practical recommendations, well-defined, long-term experiments studying different livestock and habitat types along an intensity gradient would be essential.     

高寒草甸放牧扰动与两种植物的反应研究

对不同放牧强度下矮嵩草草甸植物垂穗披碱草和鹅绒委陵菜的生长和繁殖特性进行了5年研究。结果表明,垂穗披碱草株高、分蘖数、地上物量、地下生物量、有性繁殖效力在不放牧或轻度放牧下最大,营养生长效力在重度放牧中最大,而贮藏效力在重度放牧中最小。鹅绒委陵菜叶数、匍匐茎长度、地上生物量、匍匐茎生物量、开花数、生殖生物量、有性繁殖效力及营养繁殖效力在放牧区显著高于不放牧的对照区。说明适当的放牧干扰有利于垂穗披碱草营养生长,但放牧过重会抑制其有性繁殖;由于放牧采食减少了种间竞争影响,从而提高了鹅绒委陵菜营养,生长效力和有性繁殖效力。两物种地下贮藏物的比例随着放牧强度增加显著减少。放牧强度对高寒草甸的群落演替方向有显著影响。     

Origin matters: widely distributed native and non-native species benefit from different functional traits

Recently, ecologists debated whether distinguishing native from non-native species is sensible or not. One argument is that widespread and less widespread species are functionally different, whether or not they are native. An opposing statement points out ecologically relevant differences between native and non-native species. We studied the functional traits that drive native and non-native vascular plant species frequency in Germany by explaining species grid-cell frequency using traits and their interaction with status. Native and non-native species frequency was equally driven by life span, ploidy type and self-compatibility. Non-native species frequency rose with later flowering cessation date, whereas this relationship was absent for native species. Native and non-native species differed in storage organs and in the number of environmental conditions they tolerate. We infer that environmental filters drive trait convergence of native and non-native species, whereas competition drives trait divergence. Meanwhile, introduction pathways functionally bias the frequency of non-native species.     

Plant responses to livestock grazing frequency in an Australian temperate grassland

Livestock grazing is often thought to enhance native plant species co-existence in remnant grasslands but may also favour exotic invaders. Recommendations for appropriate grazing strategies are needed, for which an understanding of the response of plant species is necessary. We explored the response of plant species and plant functional groups to grazing in temperate grassland of the Monaro Tablelands of south-east Australia by comparing species abundance in adjacent areas that differed in livestock grazing regime (minimal, infrequent and frequent). We also examined whether species with similar responses to grazing share certain traits and consider whether these traits might provide a useful method of assessing grazing impact. At the scale measured (0.25 m²), an infrequent grazing regime maximised plant species co-existence in these grasslands due to widespread invasion by exotic plant species at infrequent grazing intensity. Many native species declined in abundance when grazing frequency increased from minimal to infrequent. Annuals invaded under infrequent grazing while perennials declined most strongly under high frequency grazing. Low levels of grazing apparently reduce cover and create sites suitable for seed recruitment whereas more frequent grazing reduces the persistence of perennials. While there was a tendency for native species to be more susceptible to grazing impact than exotics, plant traits, in particular longevity (perennial, annual) provided a better prediction of the response of plants to grazing. Although a few native plant species persisted at high grazing frequency, even infrequent livestock grazing may not be appropriate for the conservation of many native perennial grassland species. Targeted reductions in grazing frequency may be necessary to enable the long-term coexistence of grazing susceptible species.     

Abandoned Foreigners: is the stage set for exotic pet reptiles to invade Central Europe?

Considerable scientific, politic and economic attention has been directed to biological invasions. Multiple pathways serve to introduce species to new environments and the release or escape of pets are among the most important sources for species invasions. Risk assessments help to identify species that are likely to become invasive and to set up preventive measures. Weighing the relative importance of ecological and human factors driving the establishment success of abandoned pets, we here present a new methodological guideline to help prioritising management activities for frequently traded pet reptiles. Climate match scores between the different distribution ranges as well as traits and niche axes shared by native and non-native species were assessed. Moreover, we tested for discrepancies in niche breadth between native and non-native ranges and estimated the ability of species to coexist with humans. Potentially moderate to high establishment success in most species was linked to appropriate climate match scores, broader niches with restrained human impacts and high similarities in reproductive traits with the native herpetofauna. Providing baseline information on the invasion potential of pet reptiles, this assessment calls for trade regulations and, to an even greater degree, for large scale education campaigns to prevent the establishment of non-native populations.     

Discriminant alleles and discriminant analysis: efficient characters to separate closely related species: the example of Lathyrus latifolius L. and Lathyrus sylvestris L. (Leguminosae)

VALERO, M. & HOSSAERT-MCKEY, M., 1991. Discriminant alleles and discriminant analysis: efficient characters to separate closely related species: the example of Lathyrus latifolius L. and Lathyrus sylvestris L. (Leguminosae). Two species of Lathyrus (L. latifolius and L. sylvestris) were compared using allozymes and quantitative vegetative and reproductive traits. The variation in these characters was analysed in several populations of the two species located in south-western, central and northern France. In a site where the two species are syrapatric, intermediate plants are described. The two species can be identified by discriminant alleles. The genetic structure observed for intermediate plants in the zone of sympatry indicates, paradoxically, the occurrence of a strong reproductive barrier between the two species. The discriminant analysis performed on the quantitative traits readily distinguishes the two species and confirms the reproductive isolation between them. The quantitative character that best discriminates between the species is the number of ovules per ovary, a variable which has non-overlapping distributions in the two species. We discuss how this character, usually ignored, may be better for distinguishing species than some traditionally used reproductive traits such as the number of seeds per fruit. The vegetative traits studied (e.g. degree and intensity of branching) also differ significantly between the two species. Divergent evolution of these traits in the two species is discussed in relation to differences in the original habitats of the two species.     

Contrasting functional trait syndromes underlay woody alien success in the same ecosystem

We performed a comprehensive comparative study of functional traits in coexisting alien and native woody species in order to examine the strategies related to resource use and dispersion underlying alien success in mountain Chaco woodlands of central Argentina. Our approach integrated seemingly contrasting pieces of evidence in the region. We specifically assessed whether (i) the ‘functional acquisitive trend’ previously observed along a broad environmental gradient accounts for woody alien naturalization when considering a single mesic ecosystem; or (ii) more than one trait syndrome is important among alien species, which would be more in line with the context‐dependent nature of biological invasions at a local scale. Fifteen vegetative and regenerative traits were measured on the most common 14 native and 11 alien woody species. We compared the attributes of (i) native and alien species and (ii) between native species and two contrasting groups of alien species identified in the previous analysis. The overall trait comparison (i) showed that, in terms of vegetative attributes, woody alien species tend to be on average more acquisitive than native species. However, (ii) two contrasting syndromes were revealed among alien species: a group of seven deciduous species with acquisitive attributes; and a group of four evergreen species showing markedly more conservative attributes than the first group. The functional attributes of ‘conservative aliens’ completely overlapped with the range observed for native species, except for an exclusive dispersal phenology and a stronger tendency to clonal spread. Acquisitive aliens, in turn, proved to be beyond the range of attributes of native species, at the acquisitive extreme, as they did in previous comparisons. Despite their importance, general trends in plant functional attributes across regions and ecosystems can sometimes obscure trends at more local scales that are nevertheless important for the understanding and management of particular systems. Our study concurs with previous general trends when looking at the overall comparison between native and alien species, but unveils contrasting functional strategies among alien species when examining their attributes more closely, even within the same ecosystem.     

Facilitative and competitive effects of a large species with defensive traits on a grazing-adapted,small species in a long-term deer grazing habitat

Plants can adapt to grazing environments by developing defensive traits, such as spines and toxins, or having a small phenotype, such as short and prostrate growth forms. This study examined facilitative and competitive interactions between species with different types of grazing adaptation. We predicted that large species with defensive traits sometimes protect grazing-adapted species without defensive traits from herbivores, but competitively suppress them overall. We conducted an experiment using fences and removals of an unpalatable plant in the long-term deer grazing habitat of Nara Park in Nara, Japan. We evaluated the seasonal variations in the facilitative and competitive effects of a defensive perennial, Urtica thunbergiana, on the growth, survival, reproduction, and final fitness of a small palatable annual species, Persicaria longiseta, during a growing season. The populations of the two species in the park have adapted to the grazed habitat by increasing the density of stinging hairs (Urtica) and developing inherently short shoots and small leaves (Persicaria). We found that Urtica individuals had facilitative effects on the growth of Persicaria individuals under grazing during a few periods of the growing season, but had neutral effects on survival and plant fitness throughout the season. In the fenced plots, Urtica had negative effects on the growth, survival, and reproduction of Persicaria. These results suggest that the relative importance of the facilitative and competitive effects of Urtica on Persicaria fluctuated due to seasonal variations in grazing pressure and vegetative productivity. Although well-defended plants often facilitate less-defended species, we conclude that the facilitative effects of Urtica on Persicaria are limited in a plant community with a long history of intensive grazing.     

Traits of butterfly communities change from specialist to generalist characteristics with increasing land-use intensity

Land-use intensification leads to species loss and shifts in community composition, but only few studies examine how these dynamics affect ecological and life-history traits. We thus investigated whether ecological and life-history traits differ between butterfly communities of grasslands with different land-use intensity. We conducted butterfly transect surveys in 137 grassland sites in three regions of Germany and compiled 10 species-specific ecological and life-history traits from the literature. These traits are associated with food plant specialisation, dispersal, distribution, reproduction and development. We calculated a land-use intensity gradient based on the amount of fertilise mowing frequency and grazing intensity. We analysed differences of traits characteristics between butterfly communities along the land-use intensity gradient in a fourth-corner analysis, thus considering correlations between traits. Six ecological and life-history traits changed from characteristics associated with specialists to such associated with generalists with increasing land-use intensity. These traits characteristics in intensified grasslands were: high dispersal propensity, large distribution range, low population density, more than one generation per year, hibernation in a more advanced developmental stage and a long flight period. The functional homogenisation of the butterfly communities with changes from specialist to generalist trait characteristics with increasing land-use intensity may have severe consequences for ecosystem functioning and services.     

The establishment success of native versus non-native herbaceous seed mixes on a revegetated roadside in Central Texas

Revegetation is an essential component of roadside and building site construction and improvement. In the southern United States, non-native grass species are frequently included in revegetation seed mixes used by highway authorities. Non-native species are frequently selected for aggressive growth characteristics; however, these same traits also render them potentially invasive, and subsequently hazardous to adjacent plant communities. Although the use of pure native seed mixes has been rejected in the past due to perceived inferior establishment characteristics, there have been few comparative quantitative field studies that justify this belief. The establishment characteristics of three seed mixes—one containing non-native species and two with native grass and forb species only—were compared in a randomized-block design along a Texas roadside following spring and summer sowing. After 60 days following the spring sowing, the two native-only seed mixes demonstrated 180 and 560% (F = 10.18; P < 0.0001) higher seed densities than the recommended native/non-native mix. The summer sowing results were similar with seedling densities 180 and 330% (F = 9.20; P < 0.01) greater than the standard non-native seeding. Although an aggressive colonizer from vegetative tissue such as stolons and rhizomes, the non-native Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) had a lower than expected establishment rate thought to be due to high water demand during the first week following sowing. Given the invasive characteristics of this common component of many recommended revegetation seed mixes, these results call into question the widespread recommended use of Bermudagrass for such projects. Although gathered during 1 year only, these data indicate that examination of suites of early- and late-successional native species can provide a highly effective mix for revegetation projects. Furthermore, this reduces the potential for negative ecological consequences and provides added benefits associated with wholly native plant communities.     

三峡水库蓄水后长江上游鱼类群聚沿河流-水库梯度的空间格局

研究对2005—2012年长江上游合江、木洞、万州和秭归江段的鱼类群聚结构进行了调查, 以分析三峡水库蓄水后长江上游鱼类群聚沿河流-水库梯度的空间格局。结果显示, 在三峡蓄水后, 在合江至秭归江段累计采集到土著鱼类368706尾, 合计132种, 隶属于17科, 其中鲤科鱼类为优势类群。沿河流-水库纵向梯度, 土著鱼类物种数下降而外来鱼类物种数增加。对应分析表明, 合江至秭归江段的鱼类群聚呈现出明显分化: 库区以上河段鱼类组成以流水性鱼类为主, 库区鱼类则以静水缓流型为主。指示物种分析进一步指出, 河流区鱼类以犁头鳅(Lepturichthys fimbriata)、红唇薄鳅(Leptobotia rubrilabris)、圆口铜鱼(Coreius guichenoti)、圆筒吻(Rhinogobio cylindricus)等22种鱼类为指示物种, 其功能群特征表现为偏好流水生境、生活史为均衡主义及食性为昆虫食性; 库区鱼类以宽口光唇鱼(Acrossocheilus monticolus)、宽鳍鱲(Zacco platypus)、鳊(Parabramis pekinensis)、鳙(Aristichthys nobilis)等16种鱼类为指示物种, 其功能群特征表现为偏好静水生境、食性为草食性或浮游食性。以上研究表明, 三峡水库蓄水导致的水环境变化是影响长江上游鱼类纵向格局的主要驱动力。建议相关管理部门根据不同河段鱼类群聚特征制定不同的渔业管理措施, 如保护土著鱼类资源、控制外来入侵鱼类。     

放牧对草原植物功能性状影响研究进展

植物功能性状的表达和植被环境适应性相关,植物功能性状之间的权衡变化体现了植物在放牧胁迫下资源的重新整合和获取.本文总结了放牧干扰下植物功能性状表达的差异性,着重将放牧干扰与植物功能性状相结合,介绍了植物功能性状的变异来源是植物遗传特征与环境过滤相互协调的结果,归纳了放牧对植物营养性状、繁殖性状的影响,以及植物可以通过调...     

Theory of grazing optimization in which herbivory improves photosynthetic ability

Herbivory had been generally considered to have a negative effect on plants, but a lot of studies have recently indicated that continuous herbivory pressure has a positive effect on plant performance, known as "grazing optimization." Based on field observations, we analytically examined a hypothesis of grazing optimization in which herbivory improves the photosynthetic ability of individual plants. We examined plant performance under various herbivory pressures and considered the evolution of plant phenology in response to a given herbivory pressure. First, we compared plant performances measured under their native conditions with specific herbivory levels. This was called the long-term response. Second, we examined the performances of plants adapting to a certain level of herbivory pressure under a non-native herbivory intensity. This was called the short-term response. According to numerical analysis, in realistic situations, grazing optimization is unlikely to be observed as a long-term response. However, grazing optimization can occur as short-term response if a plant is adapted to a certain level of herbivory pressure and the photosynthetic ability decreases significantly with the increasing size of vegetative parts. Our results suggest that improved photosynthetic ability by herbivory can result in grazing optimization, although it is constrained by the functional form of photosynthetic ability, native conditions, and experimental design.