Ecology of a sand sage community in southern New Mexico

TitleEcology of a sand sage community in southern New Mexico
Publication TypeThesis
Year of Publication1983
AuthorsAtwood T.L.
Number of Pages71
Date Published1983
UniversityNew Mexico State University
CityLas Cruces, New Mexico
Thesis TypeM.S. Thesispp
Call Number00009
KeywordsArtemisia,community ecology, community, sand sage, dissertation, dissertations, ecology,sand sage community, sand sage community, shrub, Artemisia, shrub, Larrea, shrub, Prosopis, theses, thesis
AbstractSand sage (Artemisia filifolia Torr.), which is usually found as scattered individuals along arroyos and other more mesic areas in southern New Mexico, was found to be the dominant shrub species on a site in the generally xeric Parker Heights region of the New Mexico State University College Ranch. The site is bordered on the east and southeast by cresotebush (Larrea tridentata (D.C.) Colville), and by mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa Torr.), elsewhere....It was concluded from the data that the presence of the sand sage can be attributed to the ability of the soil to take up water very rapidly and store relativelly large quantities at greater depths. Therefore, more water is available for plant use on the site than in the surrounding communities.