Water relations: Soil fertility, and plant nutrient composition of a pygmy oak ecosystem

Loading...

View/Download File

Reich and Hinkley 1980.pdf (1.35 MB)

Persistent link to this item

http://hdl.handle.net/11299/175617

Statistics

View Statistics

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Title

Water relations: Soil fertility, and plant nutrient composition of a pygmy oak ecosystem

Authors

Reich, Peter B

Hinckley, Thomas M

Published Date

1980

Publisher

Type

Article

Abstract

The water and nutrient relations of Buzzard's Roost, an unusual pygmy oak ecosystem in southwest Missouri, USA, were studied in 1976 and 1977 in an attempt both to characterize the ecophysiology of the individuals and find the causative agents for the existence of the pygmy forest. The stunted trees were mostly blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica) with some northern red oak (Q. rubra) and a few black oak (Q. velutina). In addition to being stunted, the trees were gnarled and twisted and had miniature leaves and acorns. Results of soil analysis showed the pygmy forest soil to be very acidic (pHw = 4.6), with very low levels of Ca and Mg (0.25 and 0.12 meq/100 g, respectively) and very high levels of Al (600 ppm). Adjacent non-pygmy forest soils did not display these characteristics. Foliar analysis of blackjack, northern red, and black oak showed Ca and Mg to be much lower in pygmy foliage than in non-pygmy foliage, at three times during the growing season. Diurnal and seasonal patterns of xylem pressure potential, leaf conductance, and soil moisture content illustrated the development of very severe tree water deficits at Buzzard's Roost. Predawn and midday xylem pressure potentials declined to as low as -3610 and -4200 kPa, respectively, accompanied by complete daytime stomatal closure. However, water stresses in nearby non-pygmy oaks were greater than at two of three pygmy oak sites, implying that water stress was not the major factor or causative agent in the stunting process. The evidence suggests that the very low nutrient levels in the soil, especially of Ca and Mg, plus the very high levels of Al, may be deficient (and/or toxic) for normal tree growth and development, and possibly responsible for the existence of the pygmy oak forest. Also, the xeric site characteristics add another severe stress to this ecosystem.

Keywords

Buzzard's Roost

Missouri

plant nutrient composition

pygmy oaks

Quercus marilandica

Quercus rubra

soil fertility

water relations

Description

Related to

Replaces

License

Collections

Dr. Peter Reich

Series/Report Number

Funding information

Isbn identifier

Doi identifier

10.2307/1935197

Previously Published Citation

Reich, P. B., & Hinckley, T. M.. (1980). Water Relations: Soil Fertility, and Plant Nutrient Composition of a Pygmy Oak Ecosystem. Ecology, 61(2), 400–416. http://doi.org/10.2307/1935197

Suggested citation

Reich, Peter B; Hinckley, Thomas M. (1980). Water relations: Soil fertility, and plant nutrient composition of a pygmy oak ecosystem. Retrieved from the University Digital Conservancy, 10.2307/1935197.

Content distributed via the University Digital Conservancy may be subject to additional license and use restrictions applied by the depositor. By using these files, users agree to the Terms of Use. Materials in the UDC may contain content that is disturbing and/or harmful. For more information, please see our statement on harmful content in digital repositories.