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Title: Water relations of coniferous tree species subjected to ozone in the San Bernadino Mountains, Southern California

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7212801

Species differences in sensitivity to ozone damage in the vegetation of the San Bernadino Mountains in southern California are discussed. Pinus ponderosa and P. Jeffreyi are affected while P. Coulteri, P. Lambertiana, Lebocedrus decurrans and chaparral species appear resistant. The San Bernadino Mountains are located east of the Los Angeles basin and are generally above the smog layer, but by late afternoon the inversion rises and smog moves east so that ozone levels in the mountains increase. Ozone levels are especially high in summer. The ozone enters the leaf by diffusing through the stomates, thus the susceptibility should be related in part to diurnal and seasonal patterns of stomatal activity. The hypothesis that the ozone sensitivity of coniferous tree species in the San Bernadino Mountains is related to the plant water relations controlling diurnal patterns of stomatal behavior through the year was investigated and results are reported.

Research Organization:
California Univ., Livermore (USA). Lawrence Livermore Lab.
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48; PO-4974403
OSTI ID:
7212801
Report Number(s):
UCRL-13729
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English