Effects of simulated storm sizes and nitrogen on three Chihuahuan Desert perennial herbs and a grass

TitleEffects of simulated storm sizes and nitrogen on three Chihuahuan Desert perennial herbs and a grass
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsWhitford WG, Steinberger Y
JournalJournal of Arid Environments
Volume75
Start Page861
Pagination861-864
Date Published09/2011
ARIS Log Number269533
Keywordsabundance, biomass, fertilization, irrigation
AbstractEstablishment and growth of three perennial herbs and a small tussock grass were studied in an experiment that provided simulated rainfall of 6 mm week_1 or 25 mm once per month and nitrogen fertilization in combination with the different simulated rainfall regimes. Wild onion, Allium macropetalum, failed to establish in plots receiving 25 mm month_1 simulated rainfall. The perennial composite, Bahia absinthifolia, occurred at higher densities in plots that were not irrigated but there were no differences in biomass in any of the irrigation or fertilization treatments. Desert holly, Perezia nana, failed to establish in nitrogen fertilized plots and developed higher abundance and biomass in plots receiving 25 mm month_1. Nitrogen fertilization had either no effect or an adverse effect on the perennial herbs. The tussock grass, Dasychloa pulchella exhibited highest abundance and biomass with 6 mm week_1 added water plus nitrogen. Since global climate change will affect both rain storm frequency and size and atmospheric nitrogen deposition, the results of this study are applicable to understanding vegetation responses climate change.
URL/files/bibliography/11-010.pdf
DOI10.1016/j.jaridenv.2011.03.007