Data Kos et al Oikos in press 2016

In this mesocosm study, we examined how addition of an AG herbivore (the locust Locusta migratoria) and a BG detritivore (the earthworm Lumbricus rubellus) influenced experimental multitrophic communities consisting of eight plant species belonging to different functional (taxonomic) groups (forbs, grasses and legumes), an AG aphid and parasitoid community and a BG nematode community. We specifically tested whether effects of adding these AG and BG invertebrates depended on whether they were alive or dead (cadavers). By using a multifactorial design, we could test for interactions between adding AG and BG organisms, and the status of these organisms (dead or alive). We measured total root and shoot biomass in each mesocosm and determined the composition of the plant community and densities of aphids, parasitoids and nematodes.