Later in the growing season, condensed tannin levels were significantly higher in the foliage of red oak in damaged sites. There were no consistent differences in ammonium, nitrate, or phosphate availability between damaged and undamaged sites. Despite higher foliar astringency of trees in sites damaged by Hurricane Opal, levels of defoliation by insect herbivores were higher in damaged than in control sites on both tree species. Apparent increases in putative defensive compounds following hurricane damage did not protect trees from herbivory. Foliar phenolics, soil nutrient availability, and insect herbivory were measured in hurricane-damaged and undamaged plots at each of three sites in the drainage basin.
Hurricane damage influences foliar polyphenolics and subsequent herbivory on surviving trees.
Effects of abiotic disturbance on the foliar tannins of Quercus rubra L. and subsequent defoliation by insect herbivores. The Pennsylvania State University Press.