Below is a list of our current and proposed Working Groups, organized by authorship model. Each includes a brief description with a link to a PDF document with more information. Please see the HerbVar Manual for details on how to propose new Working Groups.

Open Working Groups

These Working Groups include all Site PIs who contributed relevant data, or they are open to any member who wants to join. Leads will reach out to involve co-authors.

Spatial Pattern in Herbivory Working Group

  • Is herbivory contagious? The spatial pattern of herbivore damage within plant populations across the globe
  • Lead: William Wetzel, Montana State University
  • Co-authors: All relevant HV Site PIs will be included. This includes all members who contributed data to our 2023 Science paper.
  • Working Group abstract

Focal Family Working Group

  • Examining patterns of herbivory within our focal families
  • Lead: N. Ivalu Cacho, Institute of Biology, UNAM
  • Co-authors: All relevant HV Site PIs who contributed focal family data will be included as co-authors.
  • Working Group abstract

Education Working Group

  • The HerbVar Education Working Group aims to help faculty teach undergraduates about variability-based issues of scientific and social importance, and to provide research training for graduate students and postdocs that will support future variability-based research
  • Lead: Nora Underwood, Florida State University
  • Co-leads: TBD
  • Other members: Open to new members, please get in touch with Nora Underwood ()
  • Working Group abstract

Working Groups with a traditional authorship model

These ongoing Working Groups are using a traditional invitation authorship model that involves people with specific skills or expertise necessary for the project.

Plant Traits Working Group

  • Examining the relationships between plant traits and herbivory patterns with a review paper and a data paper
  • Lead: Andrea Galmán, Montana State University
  • Co-authors: Karen Abbott, Betty Benrey, Emilio Bruna, Carlos Bustos, Ivalu Cacho, Emmanuel Defossez, Lee Dyer, Michael Eisenring, Susan E Everingham, Martin M. Gossner, Patrick Grof-Tisza, Phil G Hahn, Brian D. Inouye, Sergio Rasmann, Mar Sobral, Nora Underwood, Susan R. Whitehead, William C. Wetzel
  • Working Group abstract

Gradients Working Group

  • Variation in herbivory across global environmental gradients
  • Lead: Phil Hahn, University of Florida
  • Co-authors: Jake Herschberger, Ivalu Cacho, William Wetzel, Susan Whitehead, Karen Abbott, Andrea Galman, Nora Underwood, Brian Inouye, Lee Dyer, Emilio Bruna, Robi Bagchi, Daniel Anstett, Rupesh Kariyat, Carina Baskett
  • Working Group abstract

Scales Working Group

  • From leaf to biome: multi-scale variability in plant-herbivore interactions
  • Lead: Susan Whitehead, Virginia Tech
  • Co-authors: Carolina Quintero, Yamila Sasal, Andrea Galmán, Mar Sobral, Phil Hahn, Nora Underwood, Brian Inouye, Karen Abbott, Lee Dyer, Ivalu Cacho, Emilio Bruna, William Wetzel
  • Working Group abstract

Distributions Working Group

  • Herbivory distribution parameters across space and time
  • Lead: Lee Dyer, University of Nevada, Reno
  • Co-authors: HerbVar Steering Committee
  • Working Group abstract

Null Model Working Group

  • Null Models of Herbivory: what shapes distributions of damage?
  • Leads:Karen Abbott (Case Western), Brian Inouye (Florida State University)
  • Co-authors: The HerbVar steering committee, Bret Eldred
  • Working Group abstract

Newly proposed Working Groups

None currently.

If you are interested in proposing a Working Group, please review the HerbVar Manual. Working Groups can use existing data or design and implement new data collection protocols. Feel free to reach out to the Steering Committee if you have questions.