Productivity, diversity and stability relationships in Mojave Desert roadside vegetation
Johnson HB, Vasek FC, Yonkers T. 1975. Productivity, diversity and stability relationships in Mojave Desert roadside vegetation. Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club. 102(no. 3):106-115
This paper presents the results of a study conducted to examine the invasion of exotic species along roadsides and the resulting changes in the health and vigor of resident native plants. The study presents quantitative documentation of changes in vegetation structure and composition associated with two roads in the western Mojave Desert. One road was an unpaved maintenance road established in 1937 and the second, a paved road, State Highway 18 which was widened and paved in 1956. Roadside transects for both roads were located within 5 km of each other near 15-Mile point in Lucerne Valley, San Bernardino County, California. The authors found the edge effect produced by roads lies in understanding the ways roads influence the amount of water available for plant growth. The edge effect has its counterpart in the natural environment where it appears in association with small washes and drainage channels.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Johnson, Hyrum; Vasek, Frank; Yonkers, Terry
- Units
- JOTR , MOJA
- Keywords
- Biomass, Cover, creosote bush scrub, Density, Edge effect, Native Species, Non-Native Species, Taxa Links To References, Water-harvesting