Seedling establishment of Ferocactus acanthodes in relation to drought
The 30 smallest seedlings of Ferocactus acanthodes (Lem.) Britton and Rose (Cactaceae) at a canyon site in the northwestern Sonoran desert averaged 2.5 cm in height. Based on field studies of CO/sub 2/ exchange throughout the year, the estimated time of their germination was late summer 1976. To explan why so little establishment occurred in recent years, the length of lethal drought for seedlings of various ages was calculated from the seedling geometry (volume-to-surface ratio), dehydration tolerance, and transpiration rates. Individual years were identified which had sufficiently long growing seasons relative to the length of the subsequent droughts to allow establishment. Eight of the last 18 y were found to be suitable for establishment of F. acanthodes, the latest year being 1976.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of California, Los Angeles
- OSTI ID:
- 6342958
- Journal Information:
- Ecology; (United States), Journal Name: Ecology; (United States) Vol. 62:4; ISSN ECOLA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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