Leaf damage (%) of beech trees in the three study regions.

<p>Schorfheide (SCH), Hainich (HAI) and Schwäbische Alb (ALB)—in the surveys in May (a) and July 2013 (b) and November 2012 (c). The letters indicate significant differences between regions (ANOVA, Tukey’s post hoc <i>p</i> < 0.05).</p

Relationship between average leaf damage and the total density of herbivore groups.

<p>Spearman rank correlation; data were obtained in May and July and across all sites (<i>n</i> = 48). The correlation between <i>Rhynchaenus fagi</i> (<i>R</i>. <i>fagi</i>) and leaf damage was restricted to the study region ALB (<i>n</i> = 16). Significance levels: ns (not significant),</p><p>* (<i>p</i> < 0.05), and</p><p>*** (<i>p</i> < 0.001).</p><p>Relationship between average leaf damage and the total density of herbivore groups.</p

Influence of beech dominance and harvest intensity on leaf damage (residuals) of beech trees.

<p>Data were collected in May (a,b), July (c,d) and November (e,f) in the three regions Schorfheide (SCH), Hainich (HAI) and Schwäbische Alb (ALB).</p

Appendix B. Plant position on the conservative vs. exploitative plants gradient in unfertilized and adherent soil data.

Plant position on the conservative vs. exploitative plants gradient in unfertilized and adherent soil data

Appendix C. The effect of plants and fertilization on soil parameters in adherent soil (NO3- and NH4+ concentrations).

The effect of plants and fertilization on soil parameters in adherent soil (NO3- and NH4+ concentrations)

Appendix A. Residual maximum likelihood (REML) results of the influence of plant traits (physiological and belowground and whole plant traits), as explanatory factors on key microbial parameters (DEA and NEA) in adherent soil.

Residual maximum likelihood (REML) results of the influence of plant traits (physiological and belowground and whole plant traits), as explanatory factors on key microbial parameters (DEA and NEA) in adherent soil