Boyd determined if the distribution of Cakile maritima, a forage species preferred by deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus),on California coasts was impacted by deer mouse herbivory. C. maritima seed and seedling herbivory were most intense within patches of Ammophila arenaria, an introduced grass species,and the intensity of herbivory decreased as distance from patch borders increased. C. maritima seed herbivory was greater than seedling herbivory and deer mice would travel farther from A. arenaria patches to consume seeds. The author concluded that herbivory does impact the distribution of C. maritima because deer mice are responsible for the gradient of reduced seed density and seedling survival surrounding A. arenaria patches.
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