An ecological consideration of the significance of cation-exchange capacity of roots of some Utah range plants

Abstract

Root cation-exchange capacities (CEC) are related to tissue nutrient content of several native Utah range plants. The root CEC values for dicotyledonous species were found to be significantly larger than for monocotyledonous species (grasses). The relative amounts of monovalent and divalent cations taken up are strongly correlated with root CEC. Dicot species tend to take up divalent ions more efficiently than monocots, but monocots take up relatively more monovalent cations than dicots. The relationship of root CEC to cation uptake helps explain differential distribution of grass lands and shrublands in common climatic zones and has important implications for range revegetation programs.