DOI: 10.5061/dryad.18931zd8x
title: A dominant plant species and insects independently and interactively shape plant community structure and ecosystem function above- and below-ground

description: It is well-established that dominant plant species and insects
 independently shape community structure and ecosystem function in
 terrestrial plant communities. Critically, few studies have
 assessed the combined effects of these two drivers of plant community
 structure and ecosystem function above- and below-ground or tracked
 whether their effects change over time. We factorially manipulated the
 dominant plant species Solidago canadensis (Canada goldenrod) and insects
 in an old field at Matthaei Botanical Garden in Ann Arbor, Michigan for
 three years and quantified their effects on plant diversity, biomass,
 functional traits, microclimate, and decomposition. Solidago canadensis
 and insects independently and interactivley shaped plant biomass, the
 community weighted mean of plant functional traits, soil microclimate, and
 the estimated decomposition rate of soil organic matter.
 Overtime, S. canadensis and insects independently and
 interactively affected the temporal stability of plant biomass but not
 species richness. Taken together, our results highlight the need
 to consider the combined effects of dominant plants and insects above- and
 below-ground, as well as through time, in order to improve our
 understanding of their role in structuring communities and ecosystems
description: # A dominant plant species and insects independently and interactively
 shape plant community structure and ecosystem function above- and
 below-ground Dataset DOI:
 [10.5061/dryad.18931zd8x](10.5061/dryad.18931zd8x) ## Description of the
 data and file structure We conducted a full factorial experiment where we
 manipulated the presence of the dominant plant species *Solidago
 canadensis* (Canada goldenrod) and insect herbivores in an old-field
 ecosystem in Michigan. In May 2021, we established 24 5 × 5 meter plots
 that were at least one meter apart. In August 2021, within each 5 × 5
 meter plot, we manipulated *S. canadensis* presence in two 1 × 1 meter
 subplots at two levels: (1) *S. canadensis* removal and (2) undisturbed
 control. In *S. canadensis* removal subplots, we removed *S. canadensis*
 stems by clipping all stems at the soil level. In undisturbed control
 subplots, we did not remove any plant biomass. We additionally established
 one 1 × 1-meter random biomass removal subplot within each 5 × 5-meter
 plot, wherein we removed the same amount of plant biomass that we removed
 in *S. canadensis* removal subplots, but we removed plants in a
 non-species-specific manner to account for potential removal induced bias
 in our results. We maintained biomass removal treatments from August
 2021-September 2024. We manipulated insect presence at two levels starting
 in May 2022: (1) insects reduced and (2) insects present. We reduced
 insects from May to August in 12 of the 5 × 5 meter plots by spraying
 lambda-cyhalothrin insecticide every three weeks at a rate of 0.002 L
 per 1 × 1 meter with a backpack sprayer. In the other 12 5 × 5 meter plots
 where insects were present, we sprayed an equivalent amount of water at
 the same time as insecticide applications. We maintained insecticide
 applications from May 2022-September 2024. During the 2024 growing season,
 we measured soil microclimate and estimated the decomposition rate of soil
 organic matter. To measure soil microclimate, we deployed TOMST TMS-4 data
 loggers in May 2024 in each subplot that measured soil moisture, soil
 temperature, and air temperature across the growing season. We downloaded
 data from TMS-4 data loggers in September 2024. To estimate the
 decomposition rate of soil organic matter, we followed the Tea Bag Index
 methodology established by Keuskamp et al. (2013). Our dataset contains
 the estimated stabilization factor and decomposition rate for a subset of
 subplots where buried tea bags remained intact at the end of the growing
 season.  At the end of the growing season in August 2022-2023, we measured
 plant species richness and aboveground plant biomass in each subplot. In
 August 2024, we measured plant species richness, species percent cover,
 aboveground plant biomass, plant functional traits, and light availability
 in each subplot.  References Keuskamp, J. A., Dingemans, B. J., Lehtinen,
 T., Sarneel, J. M., & Hefting, M. M. (2013). Tea Bag Index: a novel
 approach to collect uniform decomposition data across ecosystems. *Methods
 in Ecology and Evolution*, *4*(11), 1070-1075. ### Files and variables
 #### File: 2024_community_RAW_updated.xlsx **Description:** This file
 contains the raw data collected from a dominant species removal and insect
 reduction experiment in an old field at Matthaei Botanical Garden in Ann
 Arbor, Michigan. Field work was completed by Julia Eckberg
 ([eckbergj@umich.edu](mailto:eckbergj@umich.edu)) in August 2022 - 2024
 and Naomi Lupovitch in 2024. Lab work (plant biomass drying/weighing,
 trait processing, tea bag processing, soil analyses) was completed by
 Julia Eckberg in 2022 - 2024 and Isabelle Relyea in 2024 at the University
 of Michigan. ##### Variables: * Plot:  ID of the plot sampled at the
 Matthaei Botanical Gardens. 24 plots total (each 5-m2), divided into 3
 blocks (the first number) with 8 plots per block (second number). For
 example, plot 1.1 is the first plot in the first block. Plots at the field
 site are delineated with PVC pipe, with a label attached to the pipe at
 the southwest corner.  * Removal_treatment: Biomass removal treatment that
 data was collected from within each Plot. “Control” subplots are untouched
 and all stems of the dominant plant species Solidago canadensis are
 removed in “SolRemoval” subplots. In “RandomBiomassRemoval” subplots the
 same amount of plant biomass is removed as in the “SolRemoval” subplots,
 but species are removed randomly. Subplots are 1-m2. “Control” subplots
 are in the SE corner, “SolRemoval” subplots are in the NE corner, and
 “RandomBiomassRemoval” subplots are in the SW corner of each 5-m2 Plot.
 Removal treatments were maintained throughout the growing season by
 returning to each subplot every three weeks from May to August and
 checking for any growing S. canadensis stems. Each subplot is 1-m2. *
 Insecticide_treatment: Indicates whether or not a particular Plot was
 sprayed with insecticide. “Insecticide” indicates that Plot, including
 each removal treatment subplot within a Plot, was sprayed every three
 weeks with insecticide from May to August. “No_insecticide” indicates that
 Plot was not sprayed with insecticide during the growing season.  *
 Bag_shrub_g: The total biomass (units: grams) of shrub species in each
 subplot including bag weight. All shrubs were placed in a paper bag after
 being cut, dried for at least 48 hours and weighed. Plant biomass was
 collected in a 50x20cm section in the margin of each subplot.  * Shrub_g:
 The total biomass (units: grams) of shrub species in each subplot. All
 shrubs were placed in a paper bag after being cut, dried for at least 48
 hours and weighed. Plant biomass was collected in a 50x20cm section in the
 margin of each subplot.  * Bag_forb_g: The total biomass (units: grams) of
 all forb species (excluding *Solidago canadensis* in 2023 and 2024) in
 each subplot including bag weight. All forbs were placed in a paper bag
 after being cut, dried for at least 48 hours and weighed. Plant biomass
 was collected in a 50x20cm section in the margin of each subplot. In 2022,
 *S. canadensis* was not separated from subdominant forb biomass.  *
 Forb_g: The total biomass (units: grams) of all forb species (excluding
 *Solidago canadensis* in 2023 and 2024) in each subplot. All forbs were
 placed in a paper bag after being cut, dried for at least 48 hours and
 weighed. Plant biomass was collected in a 50x20cm section in the margin of
 each subplot. In 2022, *S. canadensis* was not separated from subdominant
 forb biomass.  * Bag_grass_g: The total biomass (units: grams) of grass
 species in each subplot including bag weight. All grasses were placed in a
 paper bag after being cut, dried for at least 48 hours and weighed. Plant
 biomass was collected in a 50x20cm section in the margin of each subplot. 
 * Grass_g: The total biomass (units: grams) of grass species in each
 subplot. All grasses were placed in a paper bag after being cut, dried for
 at least 48 hours and weighed. Plant biomass was collected in a 50x20cm
 section in the margin of each subplot.  * Bag_solidago_g: The total
 biomass (units: grams) of *Solidago canadensis* in each subplot. All *S.
 canadensis* stems were placed in a paper bag after being cut, dried for at
 least 48 hours and weighed. Plant biomass was collected in a 50x20cm
 section in the margin of each subplot.  * Solidago_g: The total biomass
 (units: grams) of *Solidago canadensis* in each subplot. All *S.
 canadensis* stems were placed in a paper bag after being cut, dried for at
 least 48 hours and weighed. Plant biomass was collected in a 50x20cm
 section in the margin of each subplot.  * Bag_legume_g: The total biomass
 (units: grams) of legumes in each subplot. All legumes were placed in a
 paper bag after being cut, dried for at least 48 hours and weighed. Plant
 biomass was collected in a 50x20cm section in the margin of each subplot. 
 * legume_g: The total biomass (units: grams) of legumes in each subplot.
 All legumes were placed in a paper bag after being cut, dried for at least
 48 hours and weighed. Plant biomass was collected in a 50x20cm section in
 the margin of each subplot.  * Total_biomass_g: The total plant biomass
 (units: grams) of all plant species in each subplot, excluding bag weight.
 Five empty paper bags were dried, weighed, and an average bag weight was
 calculated and subtracted from the raw dry biomass value to account for
 bag weight. This includes *S. canadensis* biomass.  *
 Subdominant_biomass_g: The total subdominant plant biomass (units: grams)
 of all plant species in each subplot, excluding bag weight. Five empty
 paper bags were dried, weighed, and an average bag weight was calculated
 and subtracted from the raw dry biomass value to account for bag weight.
 This does not include *S. canadensis* biomass. In 2022, *S. canadensis*
 was not separated from subdominant plant biomass so there is no
 subdominant plant biomass data for that year.  * Above_light_1: First
 measure of light intensity (units: lux) above the plant growth in each
 subplot. Light intensity was measured using the Lux Light Meter Pro app
 for iPhones.  * Above_light_2: Second measure of light intensity (units:
 lux) above the plant growth in each subplot. Light intensity was measured
 using the Lux Light Meter Pro app for iPhones.  * Above_light_3: Third
 measure of light intensity (units: lux) above the plant growth in each
 subplot. Light intensity was measured using the Lux Light Meter Pro app
 for iPhones.  * Mean_above_light: Average measure of light intensity
 (units: lux) above the plant growth in each subplot. Light intensity was
 measured using the Lux Light Meter Pro app for iPhones.  * Below_light_1:
 First measure of light intensity (units: lux) within the understory for
 each subplot. Measurements were taken about 20 cm above the ground.  *
 Below_light_2: Second measure of light intensity (units: lux) within the
 understory for each subplot. Measurements were taken about 20 cm above the
 ground.  * Below_light_3: Third measure of light intensity (units: lux)
 within the understory for each subplot. Measurements were taken about 20
 cm above the ground.  * Mean_below_light: Average measure of light
 intensity (units: lux) within the understory for each subplot. 3 light
 intensity measurements were taken at each plot and averaged. *
 Light_availability: The proportion of above light that made it into the
 understory. Calculated by dividing the “mean_above_light” by
 “mean_below_light” measurements for each subplot.  *
 August_sub_species_richness: Subdominant (i.e., all plant species except
 *S. canadensis*) plant species richness in August. *
  Total_species_richness: Plant species richness including *S.
 canadensis* in August. * achmil_cover: Cover of *Achillea millefolium*
 (unit: percent) found in each subplot * apocan_cover: Cover of *Apocynum
 cannabinum* (unit: percent) found in each subplot * ascsyr_cover: Cover of
 *Asclepias syriaca* (unit: percent) found in each subplot * asppla_cover:
 Cover of *Asplenium platyneuron* (unit: percent) found in each subplot *
 aster4_cover: Cover of *Digitalis grandiflora* (unit: percent) found in
 each subplot * aster5_cover: Cover of an unknown aster species (unit:
 percent) found in each subplot * caraca_cover: Cover of *Carduus
 acanthoides* (unit: percent) found in each subplot * carexs_cover: Cover
 of an unknown *Carex sp.* (unit: percent) found in each subplot *
 cerarv_cover: Cover of *Cersium arvense* (unit: percent) found in each
 subplot * cerfon_cover: Cover of *Cerastium fontanum* (unit: percent)
 found in each subplot * clover_cover: Cover of *Trifolium repens* (unit:
 percent) found in each subplot * corrac_cover: Cover of *Cornus racemosa*
 (unit: percent) found in each subplot * daucar_cover: Cover of *Daucus
 carota* (unit: percent) found in each subplot * dipful_cover: Cover of
 *Dipsacus fullonum* (unit: percent) found in each subplot * erican_cover:
 Cover of *Erigeron canadensis* (unit: percent) found in each subplot *
 eristr_cover: Cover of *Erigeron strigosus* (unit: percent) found in each
 subplot * eutgra_cover: Cover of *Euthamia graminifolia* (unit: percent)
 found in each subplot * fatgra_cover: Cover of an unidentified grass
 (unit: percent) found in each subplot * fesrub_cover: Cover of *Festuca
 rubra* (unit: percent) found in each subplot * fraaln_cover: Cover of
 *Frangula alnus* (unit: percent) found in each subplot * fraame_cover:
 Cover of *Fraxinus americana* (unit: percent) found in each subplot *
 fravir_cover: Cover of *Fragaria virginiana* (unit: percent) found in each
 subplot * galtri_cover: Cover of *Galium triflorum* (unit: percent) found
 in each subplot * galver_cover: Cover of *Galium verum* (unit: percent)
 found in each subplot * geumac_cover: Cover of *Geum macrophyllum* (unit:
 percent) found in each subplot * geumale_cover: Cover of *Geum aleppicum*
 (unit: percent) found in each subplot * grass5_cover: Cover of an unknown
 grass species (unit: percent) found in each subplot * hacvir_cover: Cover
 of *Hackelia virginiana* (unit: percent) found in each subplot *
 honeys_cover: Cover of *Lonicera morrowii* (unit: percent) found in each
 subplot * hypper_cover: Cover of *Hypericum perforatum* (unit: percent)
 found in each subplot * laccan_cover: Cover of *Lactuca canadensis* (unit:
 percent) found in each subplot * leuvul_cover: Cover of *Leucanthemum
 vulgare* (unit: percent) found in each subplot * linvul_cover: Cover of
 *Linaria vulgaris* (unit: percent) found in each subplot * malspp_cover:
 Cover of *Malus fusca* (unit: percent) found in each subplot *
 monfis_cover: Cover of *Monarda fistulosa* (unit: percent) found in each
 subplot * moralb_cover: Cover of *Morus alba* (unit: percent) found in
 each subplot * nigdam_cover: Cover of *Nigella damascena* (unit: percent)
 found in each subplot * orivul_cover: Cover of *Origanum vulgare* (unit:
 percent) found in each subplot * pangra_cover: Cover of *Panicum
 dichotomiflorum* (unit: percent) found in each subplot * parqui_cover:
 Cover of *Parthenocissus quinquefolia* (unit: percent) found in each
 subplot * pillon_cover: Cover of *Pilosella longifolia* (unit: percent)
 found in each subplot * poapra_cover: Cover of *Poa pratensis* (unit:
 percent) found in each subplot * poplar_cover: Cover of *Populus sp.*
 (unit: percent) found in each subplot * potrec_cover: Cover of *Potentilla
 recta* (unit: percent) found in each subplot * pruser_cover: Cover of
 *Prunus serotina* (unit: percent) found in each subplot * ranspp_cover:
 Cover of an unknown *Ranunculus sp.* (unit: percent) found in each subplot
 * ratpin_cover: Cover of *Ratibida pinnata* (unit: percent) found in each
 subplot * rhacat_cover: Cover of *Rhamnus cathartica* (unit: percent)
 found in each subplot * rosbla_cover: Cover of *Rosa blanda* (unit:
 percent) found in each subplot * rubocc_cover: Cover of *Rubus
 occidentalis* (unit: percent) found in each subplot * rudhir_cover: Cover
 of *Rudbeckia hirta* (unit: percent) found in each subplot * rumace_cover:
 Cover of *Rumex acetosella* (unit: percent) found in each subplot *
 rumcri_cover: Cover of *Rumex crispus* (unit: percent) found in each
 subplot * solcan_cover: Cover of *Solidago canadensis* (unit: percent)
 found in each subplot * sornut_cover: Cover of *Sorghastrum nutans* (unit:
 percent) found in each subplot * symlat_cover: Cover of *Symphyotrichum
 lateriflorum* (unit: percent) found in each subplot * symdru_cover: Cover
 of *Symphyotrichum drummondii* (unit: percent) found in each subplot *
 symmol_cover: Cover of *Symphoricarpos mollis* (unit: percent) found in
 each subplot * symool_cover: Cover of *Symphyotrichum oolentangiense*
 (unit: percent) found in each subplot * symspp_cover: Cover of an unknown
 *Symphyotrichum sp.* (unit: percent) found in each subplot * tanvul_cover:
 Cover of *Tanacetum vulgare* (unit: percent) found in each subplot *
 taroff_cover: Cover of *Taraxacum officinale* (unit: percent) found in
 each subplot * thapub_cover: Cover of *Thalictrum pubescens* (unit:
 percent) found in each subplot * torili_cover: Cover of an unknown
 *Torilis sp*. (unit: percent) found in each subplot * toxryd_cover: Cover
 of *Toxicodendron rydbergii* (unit: percent) found in each subplot *
 ulmame_cover: Cover of *Ulmus americana* (unit: percent) found in each
 subplot * verarv_cover: Cover of *Veronica arvensis* (unit: percent) found
 in each subplot * victet_cover: Cover of *Vicia tetrasperma* (unit:
 percent) found in each subplot * vitrip_cover: Cover of *Vitis riparia*
 (unit: percent) found in each subplot * Year: Sampling year. *
 Stabalization_factor: the amount of material that was stabilized when
 estimating decomposition rate using the tea bag index for each subplot. *
 Decomposition_rate: estimated decomposition speed determined using methods
 described by the tea bag index for each subplot. Higher values indicate
 faster decomposition. #### File: 2024_tms_RAW.xlsx **Description:** This
 file contains the raw TOMST TMS-4 soil probe data collected from a
 dominant species removal and insect reduction experiment in an old field
 at Matthaei Botanical Garden in Ann Arbor, Michigan. TMS-4 probes were
 deployed from May - September 2024 and data was downloaded by Julia
 Eckberg ([eckbergj@umich.edu](mailto:eckbergj@umich.edu)). #####
 Variables: * Day: Date measurement was taken. “Year.Month.Day”.  * Time:
 Time of day that measurement was taken. Measurements were taken every 15
 minutes every day that soil probes were deployed in the field.  *
 Soil_temp: Temperature of soil (unit:℃) at 6 cm. * Surface_temp:
 Temperature (unit:℃) at 2 cm above the soil.  * Air_temp: Temperature
 (unit:℃) at 15 cm above the soil.  * Raw_soil_moist: Raw soil moisture
 values (range ~500-3600). Raw soil moisture values represent uncalibrated
 readings from the TMS-4 soil moisture sensor, recorded as a unitless index
 * TMS_number: Serial number of datalogger from which data were
 downloaded.  * Plot:  ID of the plot sampled at the Matthaei Botanical
 Gardens. 24 plots total (each 5-m2), divided into 3 blocks (the first
 number) with 8 plots per block (second number). For example, plot 1.1 is
 the first plot in the first block. Plots at the field site are delineated
 with PVC pipe, with a label attached to the pipe at the southwest corner. 
 * Removal_treatment: Biomass removal treatment that data was collected
 from within each Plot. “Control” subplots are untouched and all stems of
 the dominant plant species *Solidago canadensis* are removed in
 “SolRemoval” subplots. In “RandomBiomassRemoval” subplots the same amount
 of plant biomass is removed as in the “SolRemoval” subplots, but species
 are removed randomly. Subplots are 1-m2. “Control” subplots are in the SE
 corner, “SolRemoval” subplots are in the NE corner, and
 “RandomBiomassRemoval” subplots are in the SW corner of each 5-m2 Plot.
 Removal treatments were maintained throughout the growing season by
 returning to each subplot every three weeks from May to August and
 checking for any growing *S. canadensis* stems. Each subplot is 1-m2. *
 Insecticide_treatment: Indicates whether or not a particular Plot was
 sprayed with insecticide. “Insecticide” indicates that Plot, including
 each removal treatment subplot within a Plot, was sprayed every three
 weeks with insecticide from May to August. “No_insecticide” indicates that
 Plot was not sprayed with insecticide during the growing season.  * Notes:
 Any additional details related to the data.  * VWC: Calibrated soil
 volumetric water content (units:%), derived from raw soil moisture sensor
 readings from TOMST TMS-4 dataloggers. The values were calculated using
 TOMST’s standard sand soil calibration.  #### File: 2024_traits_RAW.xlsx
 **Description:** This file contains the raw functional trait measurements
 collected from a dominant species removal and insect reduction experiment
 in an old field at Matthaei Botanical Garden in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Field
 work was completed by Julia Eckberg
 ([eckbergj@umich.edu](mailto:eckbergj@umich.edu)) in August 2024. Lab work
 (leaf scanning, weighing, and drying) was completed by Julia Eckberg. 
 ##### Variables * Date: date (day.month.year) of initial data collection
 in the field.  * Plot: ID of the plot sampled at the Matthaei Botanical
 Gardens. 24 plots total (each 5-m2), divided into 3 blocks (the first
 number) with 8 plots per block (second number). For example, plot 1.1 is
 the first plot in the first block. Plots at the field site are delineated
 with PVC pipe, with a label attached to the pipe at the southwest corner. 
 * Removal_treatment: Biomass removal treatment that data was collected
 from within each plot. “Control” subplots are untouched and all stems of
 the dominant plant species *Solidago canadensis* are removed in
 “SolRemoval” subplots. Subplots are 1-m2. “Control” subplots are in the SE
 corner and “SolRemoval” subplots are in the NE corner of each 5-m2 plot. 
 * Insecticide_treatment: Indicates whether or not a particular Plot was
 sprayed with insecticide. “Insecticide” indicates that Plot, including
 each removal treatment subplot within a Plot, was sprayed every three
 weeks with insecticide from May to August. “No_insecticide” indicates that
 Plot was not sprayed with insecticide during the growing season.  * Taxon:
 Species code of the focal plant species for which we collected trait data.
 “Poapra_cover” is measurements of *Poa pratensis*, “Vitrip_cover” is
 measurements from *Vitis riparia*. “Parqui_cover” is measurements from
 *Parthenocissus quinquefolia*. “Solcan_cover” is measurements from
 *Solidago canadensis*. “Monfis_cover” is measurements from *Monarda
 fistulosa*. “Hypper_cover” is measurements from *Hypericum perforatum*.
 “Rubocc_cover” is measurements from *Rubus occidentalis*. “Rhacat_cover”
 is measurements from *Rhamnus cathartica*. “Galver_cover” is measurements
 from *Galium verum*. “Orivul_cover” is measurements from *Origanum
 vulgare*. “Pillon_cover” is measurements from *Pilosella longifolia*.
 “Eutgra_cover” is measurements from *Euthamia graminifolia*.
 “Toxryd_cover” is measurements from *Toxicodendron rydbergii*.
 “Corrac_cover” is measurements from *Cornus racemosa*.  * Individual_nr:
 At least three individuals of each species were collected in each subplot.
 This column indicates the individual with which the trait data is
 associated.  * Total_leaf_area_cm2: Total leaf area for all of the
 associated leaves scanned. Calculated using imageJ in R.  *
 Mean_leaf_area_cm2: Mean leaf area for an individual plant. Calculated by
 dividing the “total_leaf_area_cm2” column by the total number of leaves
 scanned. This was done manually.  * Plant_height_cm: Plant height measured
 in centimeters in the field. Measured to the tallest photosynthetically
 active tissue.  * Wet_mass_g: Leaf mass measured in grams using a lab
 scale.  * Mean_wet_mass_g: Mean leaf mass calculated by dividing total wet
 mass by the total number of leaves weighed. Units: grams. *
 Bagged_dry_mass_g: Leaf dry mass measured in grams using a lab scale.
 Includes weight of envelope in which leaf material was stored.  *
 Dry_mass_g: Leaf dry mass measured in grams with envelope weight
 subtracted. * Mean_dry_mass_g: Mean leaf dry mass calculated by dividing
 total dry mass by the total number of leaves weighed. Units: grams. * SLA:
 Specific leaf area (SLA), calculated by dividing “dry_mass_g” column by
 “total_leaf_area_cm2” column.  * LDMC: Leaf dry matter content (LDMC),
 calculated by dividing “dry_mass_g” by “wet_mass_g”.  ## Code/software We
 used R version 4.1.3 to view, organize, and analyze our data. We used the
 "*FD"* package to calculate trait community weighted means and
 "*ggplot2"* package to visualize data.  ## Access information
 Other publicly accessible locations of the data: * None Data was derived
 from the following sources: * NA