Author Description

Herbivores play a keystone role in the evolution, organization and functioning of populations, communities and ecosystems. Ranging from small insects to megaherbivores (such as elephants), herbivores have a major impact on vegetation succession and nutrient cycling. Conversely, many plant features constrain the food intake, population dynamics, and community interactions of herbivores. The dynamics of plant-herbivore systems is in turn affected by higher trophic levels, such as parasitoids and predators. This book brings together authors from different disciplines including evolutionary ecology, entomology, plant and animal ecology, biochemistry, physiology and behavioural ecology. By using herbivores as the focal point, this book provides a series of comprehensive reviews emphasizing the links between these different fields of interest. The book provides an up-to-date overview of knowledge in the field, and suggests many interesting directions for future research.