Variation in plant defence traits has been frequently assessed along large‐scale macroclimatic clines. In contrast, local‐scale changes in the environment have recently been proposed to also modulate plant defence traits. Yet, the relative importance of drivers at both scales has never been tested. We aimed to quantify the relative importance of environmental drivers inherent to large and small spatial scales on the physical and chemical defence and tolerance to herbivory in understorey plant species of deciduous forests of Europe.

中文翻译：

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小规模的环境变化调节了欧洲落叶林下层植物的植物防御综合症

植物防御性状的变异已经常在大型宏观气候沿线进行评估。相反，最近提出了局部环境变化来调节植物防御性状。但是，这两个级别的驱动程序的相对重要性从未得到检验。我们旨在量化大小不一的环境内在因素对欧洲落叶林下层植物物种的物理和化学防御以及对草食性的耐受性的相对重要性。