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We have observed local differences in the vegetation-herbivore interaction pattern in the Juniper shrublands of Kiskunsági National Park, Hungary. The density of herbivorous mammals differs in the Bugac, Bócsa and Orgovány forests, and their diet composition varies seasonally and spatially. We have found juniper browsing by the rabbits at Bugac, by the sheep at Orgovány, but no one fed on juniper at Bocsa. We studied whether juniper shrubs deter browsing via enhanced aromatic oil production or via specific chemicals reducing digestibility, and how chemical interaction is reflected in the age distribution of local stands. By analyzing the chemical composition of shrubs in the three forests we found some significant differences both in the yield and the composition of essential oils related to the damage level. The shrubs produced the highest yield at Bugac and during the winter season when their …