Ecology of Desert Plants. IV. Combined Field and Laboratory Work on Germination of Annuals in the Joshua Tree National Monument, California
Juhren M, Went FW, Phillips EA. 1956. Ecology of Desert Plants. IV. Combined Field and Laboratory Work on Germination of Annuals in the Joshua Tree National Monument, California. Ecology. 37(2):318-330
This is an extension of earlier studies showing correlations between temperature at the time of a rainfall and the desert annual species that then germinated. This study finds that the amount and duration of rainfall together affect germination, with heavy rains generally being less effective than a similar amount over a longer time. Quantity of the first winter rain and temperatures at the time are particularly important. Field observations of these and other effects are paralleled by greenhouse cultivation in soil samples from the outdoor plots. Germination generally occurs in desert plants only when conditions are likely to allow full maturity. As most seedlings do survive, factors involved in selection seem primarily to affect early maturation and germination characteristics.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Juhren, Marcella; Went, Frits; Phillips, Edwin
- Units
- JOTR
- Keywords
- Absence (Biodiversity), Air Temperature, Desert, Germination, Plant Studies, Precipitation, Presence (Biodiversity), Seasonality, Taxa Links To References