Plant–Herbivorous Insect Interactions in Forest Ecosystems: Overview and Perspectives to Mitigate Losses

Abstract

Evolutionary ecological studies have postulated that interactions between species are critical drivers of species diversification, in which each type of interaction promotes diversification in different ways. For instance, studies have suggested that antagonistic associations, such as plant–herbivorous insect interactions, can be paramount for the diversification process via coevolution between offensive and defensive traits that mediate interactions. In turn, plant–herbivore interactions, and the resulting diversification of traits, are therefore important determinants of community structure and dynamics. Here, we provide a general overview of how plant–herbivorous insect associations can be important for promoting diversity and maintaining ecosystem dynamics and structure. To this end, we start the chapter by presenting an overview of plant–herbivorous insect interactions, with a background of how evolutionary ecological studies about ecological interactions are important to understand the processes that drive species diversity. Then, we discuss the coevolutionary process between plants and insects by describing how plant–herbivorous insect coevolution can promote species diversity and shape ecosystems, and the potential mechanisms by which plants and herbivores might influence the ecosystem structure and biodiversity, which can act as a proxy for conservation measures. Next, we discuss the role of insect herbivory in sha** forest restoration outcomes, and how plant-provided resources mediating the protective mutualism can act as a biodiversity enhancer. Finally, we end the chapter by suggesting some novel and underrepresented perspectives within the topic, supporting researchers and policymakers to focus their efforts on certain measures to successfully maintain and protect biodiversity in different ecosystems.