Roles of biogenic volatile organic carbons (BVOCs) for canopy and understorey trophic interactions
In response to herbivory, plants often emit various kinds of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) which are organic molecules with high vapour pressures. These compounds are believed to repel herbivores and attract predators and parasitoids of herbivores.
How the emission of BVOCs by plants will shift under climate change is uncertain, as are the knock-on effects for processes like herbivory. There are complex feedback loops between plants, the environment and biotic interactions which complicate predictions, particularly for understudied ecosystems such as tropical and subtropical rainforests. We will use vertical climate gradients within tropical and subtropical forests, from the understorey, which is cool and wet, to the canopy, which is hot and dry, to investigate the relationships between BVOCs, herbivores and predators across vertical strata.
Funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) / Research Grants Council (RGC) Joint Research Scheme for 2021/22