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Abstract Detail



Ecophysiology

Stutzman, Nicole [1], Bobich, Edward [2], Ewers, Frank [3], Bozak, Kristin [4].

Seasonal water relations, gas exchange and morphology of co-occurring Salvia shrubs in southern California .

Salvia apiana, (Jepson), S. leucophylla (Greene), and S. mellifera (Greene) are three common drought deciduous shrubs that dominate areas of coastal sage scrub in southern California, but rarely occupy the same microsites. For example, Salvia apiana usually occurs in drier microclimates than the other two sages over much of its range; however, it usually maintains higher dry season water potentials. To understand why these three species rarely co-occur, seasonal gas exchange, water potentials and chlorophyll fluorescence were compared among the three species growing sympatrically at two sites within the Santa Monica Mountains (coastal) and the Puente Hills (inland). Morphological information such as specific leaf area and canopy coverage was also collected. Plants in the Santa Monica Mountains maintained higher dry season CO2 uptake, stomatal conductance, and transpiration, but had lower CO2 uptake, stomatal conductance and transpiration in late winter. Spring CO2 uptake, stomatal conductance, and transpiration were higher for S. leucophylla and S. mellifera than for S. apiana, which may be due to shallower roots and lower leaf trichome coverage of S. leucophylla and S. mellifera. In general, plants of all three species growing in the Santa Monica Mountains maintained higher dry season water potentials than those in the Puente Hills because they likely experienced lower evapotranspiration. In support of previous work, Salvia apiana maintained higher dry season (summer) water potentials than the other two species. Based on this study, it appears that S. apiana avoids drought by maintaining higher dry season water potentials, whereas S. mellifera and S. leucophylla tolerate long periods of low water potentials. This may explain why S. apiana tends to occupy drier, steeper microsites when associated with S. mellifera.

Broader Impacts:


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1 - California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Biological Sciences Department, 3801 West Temple Ave., Pomona, CA, 91768, USA
2 - 1261 W. 15th St., Upland, CA, 91786, USA
3 - California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, Office of Research, 3801 West Temple Avenue, Pomona, CA, 91768, USA
4 - 3801 West Temple Ave.

Keywords:
coastal sage scrub
physiology
gas exchange
water relations
Salvia.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Topics
Session: P
Location: Grand Salon A - D/Riverside Hilton
Date: Monday, July 29th, 2013
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PEP006
Abstract ID:942
Candidate for Awards:Physiological Section Best poster presentation,Physiological Section Physiological Section Li-COR Prize


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