The main points I'd like to emphasize are 1. Herbivory usually harms a plant 2. This harm is most pronounced if an individual is harmed more than neighbors due to its competitive disadvantage 3. There are physiological mechanisms by which negative effects of herbivory are offset. These compensatory mechanisms depend on competitive environment.
Species differ in the extent to which they can compensate for herbivory.
Remember, though, that this high-RGR trait occurs only in fertile soils. Great plains of midwestern US former ocean and lake sediments 4. 1. terpenes 2. phenolics 3. Classes of plant defense Check out figure 11.10 from Taiz . We have seen this figure before when talking about respiration.