Rainfall reduction increases insect herbivory in tropical herb communities

Questions Climate change is dramatically altering rainfall patterns and species distribution around the world. However, little is known about how rainfall reduction may affect plant–herbivore interactions that are crucial to the of input energy and nutrients into terrestrial ecosystems. Following Coley’s growth rate hypothesis, we assessed whether rainfall reduction in a seasonally dry tropical forest decreases community‐level herbivory owing to water shortage in drier areas. Location Catimbau National Park, Northeast Brazil. Methods We sampled 16 herb communities along a rainfall gradient (564–917 mm). Using digital photographs, we monitored for 3 weeks the frequency, magnitude and type (feeding guild) of insect damage on young, fully expanded, short‐lived leaves (lifespan