• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.24-31
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• 2014

This study was conducted to clarify the seasonal and elevational pattern of herbivore's feeding pattern in a temperate deciduous forest. We investigated the herbivore's feeding activity for three years (2011~2013) at three survey sites in Mt. Jirisan National Park (Piagol, Siamjae, Nogodan). We selected target tree species based on the dominance across the sites (Quercus, Acer, Rhododendron and Carpinus) and scored herbivore's feeding activity every one or two weeks from April to June using leaf damage index. We found that the herbivory started early at the low elevation site (Piagol, ${\approx}300m$), and the highest feeding activity occurred at the mid elevation site (Siamjae, ${\approx}900m$). At the highest elevation site (Nogodan, ${\approx}1300m$), the herbivory started late, but the total feeding activity accumulated quickly. Compared to the breeding time of Varied tit, an insectivore bird, it was overlapped with the feeding activity period of herbivores, suggesting close interaction among plants, insects and birds in this deciduous forest. We suggested a need of long-term monitoring of this tri-trophic interaction since duration of herbivore activity can be changed followed by climate change.