Some Ecological Relationships between Creosotebush and Bush Muhly
Welsh RG and Beck RF. 1976. Some Ecological Relationships between Creosotebush and Bush Muhly. Journal of Range Management. 29(6):472-475
Some ecological relations between creosotebush and bush muhly were observed and measured to determine the influence of bush muhly on creosotebush environment and vigor when the bush muhly is growing within the creosotebush canopy. Bush muhly growing within the creosotebush canopy significantly reduced the light intensity reaching the lower limbs of creosotebush. Shade screens used for simulating bush muhly did not significantly reduce the light reaching the creosotebush but still appeared to influence the new growth of creosotebush leaves. Evidently, surface reflection under the screens still permitted sufficient light for some plant growth. No new basal stem growth was observed in creosotebushes where bush muhly was removed after occupying more than half of the aerial space of the creosotebush. There were more dead stems (50%) in creosotebushes growing with bush muhly present than in those without (20%). The amount of moisture in leaves and stems of creosotebush was significantly less when bush muhly was present.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Welsh, Richard; Beck, Reldon
- Units
- SODN
- Keywords
- Botany (Morphology Anatomy Embryology Genetics), Methods (General Field), Soil Science