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Table 4 Leaf C, N and C:N ratios in response to earthworms (−Ew…no earthworms, +Ew…earthworm addition) and plant community composition (low diversity…3 spp.; high diversity…12 spp.)

From: Herbivory of an invasive slug is affected by earthworms and the composition of plant communities

Parameter/

Low plant diversity

High plant diversity

Funct. group

-Ew

+Ew

-Ew

+Ew

Ctot

    

A. elatius

41.6 ± 0.3a

40.5 ± 0.4a

40.8 ± 0.5a

39.7 ± 1.0a

P. vulgaris

38.4 ± 1.0a

38.5 ± 0.5a

38.6 ± 0.1a

38.5 ± 0.8a

T. pratense

40.9 ± 0.3a

40.9 ± 0.3a

40.6 ± 0.3a

41.3 ± 0.4a

Ntot

    

A. elatius

2.9 ± 0.2b

3.5 ± 0.3a

2.8 ± 0.2b

3.4 ± 0.3a

P. vulgaris

2.7 ± 0.1b

3.1 ± 0.1a

2.9 ± 0.1b

3.4 ± 0.3a

T. pratense

3.0 ± 0.1ab

3.1 ± 0.2ab

2.8 ± 0.1c

3.3 ± 0.1a

C:N ratio

    

A. elatius

15.9 ± 1.5a

12.3 ± 1.1b

15.3 ± 1.2a

12.7 ± 1.3b

P. vulgaris

14.3 ± 0.7a

12.8 ± 0.5b

13.9 ± 0.6a

11.5 ± 1.2b

T. pratense

13.9 ± 0.5a

13.5 ± 0.4a

14.7 ± 0.6a

12.7 ± 0.5b

  1. Different letters after values refer to significant differences within a species (Tukey-Tests, p < 0.05). Means ± SE, n = 6.