Water Relations and Water use Patterns for Artemisia Tridentata Nutt. In Wet and Dry Years

Plant H"2O relations and soil moisture depletion and recharge were followed in a stand of Artemisia tridentata near Washtucna, Washington during 1973 and 1974. Precipitation during the 1972-73 recharge season was 14.5 cm, 11 cm below normal. The 1973-74 precipitation was 35.7 cm, or 10 cm above normal. The 2 yr were therefore ideal for comparing plant behavior on wet vs. dry years. Soil moisture was depleted to around -70 bars in 1973 and -60 bars in 1974 to depths of 2.5 m. Leaf H"2O potentials were -10 bars in the spring and decreased to -50 to -60 bars in the summer of 1973. In 1974, summer leaf H"2O potential was -30 bars. Osmotic potentials were around -20 bars in the spring of 1973 and throughout the spring...

Categories: Publication; Types: Citation, Journal Citation; Tags: Artemisia tridentata, Ecology, Washington, diffusion resistance, evapotranspiration, All tags... neutron meter, osmotic potential, pressure bomb, soil evaporation, soil water, thermocouple psychrometer, water potential, Fewer tags