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Data for: Nitrogen deposition interacts with water availability to influence herbivore abundance and herbivory on red maple (Acer rubrum L.)

Petzoldt, Jane12; Youngsteadt, Elsa2; Frank, Steven2

Published Jun 05, 2026 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.ncjsxkt9j

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Jun 05, 2026 version files 505.70 KB

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Abstract

Urban trees are subject to elevated nitrogen (N) deposition and water stress. The combination of water stress and N deposition may contribute to more frequent and severe pest outbreaks among urban trees. To test for an interaction between N and water, we conducted a two year common garden experiment with potted Acer rubrum L in which we simulated N deposition and lowered water availability in a factorial design. We hypothesized that combined N deposition and water stress would cause trees to have more water stress, insect herbivores, and herbivory compared to either factor in isolation. We found that simulated N deposition and water availability interact to affect tree and herbivore performance: tree height, sap feeding and shoot feeding insects all responded to N x water interactions in at least one year of the study. We observed that high N trees had more growth, insects, and herbivory, suggesting that urban N deposition could elicit changes in trees and herbivores. However, we did not find that N treatments exacerbated tree water stress as predicted. Intraspecific response diversity to N deposition and water availability in this study supports planting diverse tree genotypes to buffer against effects of drought, N deposition, and other disturbances.