Herbivory exacerbates pollen limitation by isolating unconsumed plants from prospective mates

Our results offer empirical support for the hypothesis that herbivory reduces pollination and seed production in unconsumed plants by altering spatial mating opportunities. This feedback between deer herbivory and distance-dependent pollination contributes to widespread reproductive failure in L. philadelphicum, though the extent to which deer reduce seed production varies with plant isolation. Herbivory may exacerbate pollen limitation in other species by isolating unconsumed plants from prospective mates.