Comparative photosynthetic production of Mojave Desert shrubs. [Ambrosia dumosa, Lycium andersonii, L. pallidum, Larrea tridentata, Krameria parvifolia]

Journal Article · · Ecology; (United States)

OSTI ID:7145056

Bamberg, S A; Kleinkopf, G E; Wallace, A; Vollmer, A

Transpirational and net photosynthetic rates of several species of desert shrubs were measured as a function of season and environmental variables at the Nevada Test Site in the northern Mojave Desert. Drought-deciduous species, Ambrosia dumosa (Grey) Payne, Lycium andersonii Grey, and Lycium pallidum Miers, had higher maximum rates and greater water loss than the evergreen, Larrea tridentata Munz, and summer green, Krameria parvifolia Benth., species. Moisture status was the most critical factor determining gas exchange rates and affected temperature optima and acclimation as the season progressed. Because of a dry spring season, the drought-deciduous species became dormant in late May-early June; the other two species exhibited by mid-June a small positive CO/sub 2/ uptake during the morning period. Desert plant species, with few exceptions, are extremely labile and exhibit large variability and different adaptive strategies.

• Research Organization: Univ. of California, Los Angeles
• OSTI ID: 7145056
• Journal Information: Ecology; (United States), Journal Name: Ecology; (United States) Vol. 56:3; ISSN ECOLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

510100 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Basic Studies-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
550500* -- Metabolism
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ARID LANDS
BIOLOGICAL ADAPTATION
BIOMASS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DESERTS
ENERGY SOURCES
MOISTURE
NEVADA
NEVADA TEST SITE
NORTH AMERICA
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
PLANTS
PRODUCTIVITY
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SHRUBS
SYNTHESIS
TRANSPIRATION
USA
WESTERN REGION