Abstract
The effects of fire and tilling on the water relations of three mesic mountain fynbos species, Leucadendron xanthoconus (Proteaceae), Erica cristata (Ericaceae) and Chondropetalum hookerianum (Restionaceae), were investigated. Measurement of the diurnal pattern of xylem pressure potential in young plants of a postfire community showed that tilling of the soil was associated with an increase in the availability of water, and with less stressed conditions in the Leucadendron and Erica plants. Chondropetalum seedlings, however, were equally stressed on both of these burned treatments. Relative to their mature counterparts in the unburned vegetation, Erica and Chondropetalum of the burned but untilled treatment were more stressed, whereas the Leucadendron plants showed no significant difference. The observed patterns of stress are interpreted in terms of the reduced vegetational cover following tilling, and the different rooting and seedling establishment strategies displayed by each of the investigated species. Findings of this study suggest that consideration of an altered water regime may be an important part of the management and conservation planning which regulates human impact on fynbos vegetation.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
