Author： Milton S.J. Gourlay I.D. dean W.R.J.
Publisher： Academic Press
ISSN： 0140-1963
Source： Journal of Arid Environments, Vol.37, Iss.3, 1997-11, pp. : 487-496
Disclaimer: Any content in publications that violate the sovereignty, the constitution or regulations of the PRC is not accepted or approved by CNPIEC.
Abstract
Pteronia pallens (Asteraceae) produced annual growth rings, the width of which were influenced by water availability, particularly in the winter growing season. Ring widths (mean 0·83 mm, S.D. 0·46 mm) are within the range reported for other desert shrubs. Field measurements of basal diameter were significantly correlated with the number of growth rings, but accuracy of age estimates was limited by the longitudinal splitting of the stems. Longevity estimates from basal diameters suggest that P. pallens can live for 150 years. Age class frequency distributions of P. pallens at the study sites showed two peaks over the period 1920 to 1990. Rainfall explained only 33% of the variation in recruitment. Other factors, such as the reduction of competition by drought or grazing, may have had a greater influence on recruitment patterns.Copyright 1997 Academic Press Limited
Related content
Access to resources
Recommend
Size‐dependent Herbivore Attack and the Demography of an Arid Grassland Shrub
Ecology, Vol. 66, Iss. 3, 1985-06 ,pp. :