An Ecologial Significance of Seasonal Leaf Variability in a Desert Shrub
Cunningham GL and Strain BR. 1969. An Ecologial Significance of Seasonal Leaf Variability in a Desert Shrub. Ecology. 50(3):400-408
Encelia farinosa is one of a number of species of desert perennial shrubs in which individuals exhibit considerable seasonal variation in the amount and structure of leaf tissue. The function of seasonal leaf variability in adapting this species to the desert environment was investigateed. Field observations demonstrated that leaf quantity and structure are controlled by the moisture status of the environments. The field observations also established the indfluence which leaf quantity and structure have on the CO2 exchange capacity and water status of the shrub. These observations were corroborated by laboratory experiments. The laboratory investigations also indicated that the influences of leaf structure are brought about by alterations in the resistances to CO2 and water vapor diffusion.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Cunningham, G.; Strain, B.
- Units
- SODN
- Keywords
- Ecology, Plant Studies