In this study, Paige measured the vegetative and reproductive growth of scarlet gilia (Ipomopsis aggregata) plants growing in smooth brome (Bromus inermis) and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) plant communities, following one or two summer defoliations. Scarlet gilia plants exposed to a single early summer defoliation had more stems, flowers and fruits than undefoliated plants in both plant communities. Plants that were re-browsed late in the season had minimal plant tissue removed, and compensated by producing more fruits and flowers than plants browsed only one time. However, plants exposed to simulated herbivory, which removed a large amount of plant tissue late in the season, produced less flowers and fruits than plants that were not defoliated. When plants were found in close association with either pine or grasses, browsed plants still outperformed control plants, producing significantly more flowers and fruits than uneaten control plants. These results support the conclusion that mammalian herbivores can benefit plants, enhancing plant fitness.
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