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Response of steppe shrubs to the 1977 drought

Journal Article · · Northwest Sci.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5359168

Litterfall collecting is a non-destructive and efficient way to monitor the leaf growth of steppe shrubs over extended periods of time. During the 1977 growing season, the shrub steppe region experienced severe drought. Shrubs responded by producing few leaves, resulting in less litterfall. In some areas, spiny hopsage did not produce leaves at all. The drought was broken in 1978: sagebrush, bitterbrush, spiny hopsage, and greasewood produced as much or more litterfall as they did in the 1976 growing season.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA
OSTI ID:
5359168
Journal Information:
Northwest Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: Northwest Sci.; (United States) Vol. 55:2; ISSN NOSCA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English