Nitrogen fertilization stimulates herbivory by snowshoe hares in the boreal forest

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Abstract
We fertilized small plots in the boreal forest of the southwestern Yukon, Canada, to see how herbivory was affected. We assessed snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) activity by counting pellets, and estimated grazing on grass as the proportion of blades eaten. After 2 years of fertilization, snowshoe hares spent more time on and near the test plots with more fertilizer. More grass was grazed on those plots but not near them. Thus, herbivores were attracted to the general area of the fertilized plots but only grazed directly on the plots.