Data from: A dominant plant species and insects interactively shape plant community structure and an ecosystem function

Dominant plants and insects both structure plant communities and determine
key ecosystem functions. However, dominant plants and insects can have
opposing effects on plant community structure and ecosystem function.
Critically, few studies have assessed the combined effects of these two
drivers of plant community structure and ecosystem function. In this
study, we factorially manipulated the presence of the dominant plant
species Solidago canadensis (Canada goldenrod) and insects in an old field
to quantify their independent and interactive effects on the plant
community. Insect presence mediated the effects of S. canadensis removal
on plant biomass and richness. Total plant biomass was ~32% lower
following S. canadensis removal only when insects were present. In
contrast, subdominant plant biomass was ~75% higher following S.
canadensis removal, but only when insects were reduced. Subdominant
species richness was ~37% higher following S. canadensis removal when
insects were present, though the abundance of most subdominant species did
not vary systematically with S. canadensis removal or insect reduction.
Light availability was ~49% higher following S. canadensis removal with no
effect of insect presence on light availability. Our results emphasize the
interactive role of dominant plants and insects in determining the
diversity and biomass of plant communities.