Comparative importance of overland runoff and mean annual rainfall to shrub communities of the Mojave Desert. [Larrea tridentata; Ambrosia dumosa]

Journal Article · Thu Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1984 · Bot. Gaz. (Chicago); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/337434· OSTI ID:7057066

Schlesinger, W H; Jones, C S

The density, biomass, and pattern of shrubs on a desert piedmont in southern California were measured in a series of plots from which sheet-flow and stream-channel runoff from adjacent mountains have been excluded for 45 yr. The plots were compared with undisturbed adjacent areas in which soil moisture is derived from both runoff and incident precipitation. Larrea tridentata and Ambrosia dumosa showed significantly lower density in areas of drainage diversion. There were no differences in mean shrub biomass for A. dumosa, but in areas of drainage diversion, mortality of L. tridentata was concentrated among larger individuals. The remaining population of smaller shrubs showed a more aggregated pattern than the population in undisturbed sites. Biomass per hectare was lower for both species in areas of drainage diversion. Desert shrub communities depend on soil moisture recharge during periods of overland runoff. Sources of runoff are important to consider in studies of competition and pattern of desert shrubs.

• Research Organization: Duke Univ., Durham, NC
• OSTI ID: 7057066
• Journal Information: Bot. Gaz. (Chicago); (United States), Vol. 145:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CALIFORNIA
DESERTS
RAIN
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
RUNOFF
SHRUBS
BIOMASS
POPULATION DENSITY
DRAINAGE
ECOSYSTEMS
MOISTURE
SOILS
ARID LANDS
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FEDERAL REGION IX
MASS TRANSFER
NORTH AMERICA
PLANTS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
USA
510100* - Environment
Terrestrial- Basic Studies- (-1989)