Response of a Grassland Cactus to Frequency and Size of Rainfall Events in a North American Shortgrass Steppe
1 Field experiments were conducted to define the types of rainfall that most effectively contribute to the water resource of a grassland cactus, Opuntia polyacantha in a shortgrass steppe. 2 The study indicated that O. polyacantha is capable of responding to rain events as small as 2.5 cm although a...
| Veröffentlicht in: | Journal of Ecology. - Cambridge University Press, 1913. - 84(1996), 2, Seite 177-183 |
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| Weitere Verfasser: | , |
| Format: | Online-Aufsatz |
| Sprache: | English |
| Veröffentlicht: |
1996
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| Zugriff auf das übergeordnete Werk: | Journal of Ecology |
| Schlagworte: | cladodes Opuntia water content Biological sciences Environmental studies Physical sciences |
| Zusammenfassung: | 1 Field experiments were conducted to define the types of rainfall that most effectively contribute to the water resource of a grassland cactus, Opuntia polyacantha in a shortgrass steppe. 2 The study indicated that O. polyacantha is capable of responding to rain events as small as 2.5 cm although a 10-mm event has considerably more value than a 2.5-mm or a 5-mm event. 3 Water content of the cladodes was closely related to recent rainfall, and shoot growth was greatly influenced by cladode water content. 4 Results indicate that this cactus utilizes small rainfall events (2.5-5 mm), and that its success in the short term depends more on the frequency of usable rain than on rain amount. |
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| ISSN: | 13652745 |
| DOI: | 10.2307/2261353 |