Salinity and the small-scale distribution of three barrier island shrubs
Salinity and the small-scale distribution of three barrier island shrubs
复制标题
三种障壁岛灌木的盐度及小规模分布
作者:
D. Young;David L. Erickson;S. Semones
The importance of salinity to small-scale distribution patterns was examined for three shrubs common on barrier islands of the southeastern United States. Field measurements focused on the salt marsh – upland interface zone on Hog Island, Virginia, where Myrica cerifera, Baccharis halimifolia, and Iva frutescens form distinct distributional zones. Although considerable variation in salinity occurred throughout the growth season (June through October), total soil chlorides and groundwater salinity were lowest for M. cerifera, intermediate for B. halimifolia, and highest for I. frutescens. All three species showed similar diurnal and seasonal patterns in stomatal conductance and leaf xylem pressure potential, despite the differences in salinity. However, a laboratory experiment revealed interspecific differences in water relations when the three shrubs were exposed to identical salinity regimes. The field data and water relations experiment indicated M. cerifera is least tolerant to salinity, I. frutescens ...