Leaf and canopy boundary layer conductances of two semiarid speciesRetama sphaerocarpa L. Boiss and Stipa tenacissima L

  1. Moro Cuadrillero, María José
  2. Domingo Poveda, Francisco
  3. Sánchez Barrionuevo, Gerardo
  4. Brenner, A.J.
  5. Gardingen, P.R. van
Journal:
Mediterránea: Serie de Estudios Biológicos

ISSN: 1130-6203,  1988-6624

Year of publication: 1997

Issue: 16

Pages: 37-44

Type: Article

DOI: 10.14198/MDTRRA1997.16.04 DIALNET GOOGLE SCHOLAR lock_openRUA editor

More publications in: Mediterránea: Serie de Estudios Biológicos

Abstract

Canopy boundary layer conductance was calculated in the field by measuring the evaporation from artificially wet canopies of two main semi-arid species found in the Rambla Honda (Almena, South East of Spain), Retama sphaerocarpa (L.) Boiss. and Stipa tenacissima L. R. sphaerocarpa is a leafless perennial shrub having cylindrical cladodes arranged on randomly orientated stems constituting an open canopy. In contrast S. tenacissima is a perennial tussock grass having a dense canopy and leaves that can roll during periods of water stress. Values of leaf boundary layer conductance, taken from a previous study on the same species, obtained by the construction of cylindrical leaf replicas were extrapolated to the canopy. The results from the current study emphasise the importance of shelter effects influencing wind speed and then boundary layer conductance. The comparison between the two species reflects the interaction between leaves in Stipa, sheltering each other, producing a lower boundary layer than for R. sphaerocarpa. Our results showed that the extrapolation from a leaf to the whole of the canopy is not simply the addition of leaf boundary layer conductances in dense canopies as S. tenacissima. However for R. sphaerocarpa the interaction between leaves is not significant and the extrapolation from a leaf to the whole canopy is possible.

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