Abstract
Functional trait differences between native bunchgrasses and the invasive grass Bromus tectorum
Highlights
Native perennial bunchgrasses have long been recognized as an integral functional component of shrub-steppe ecosystems of western North America[1]
Results indicate that the grasses differentially responded to drought conditions and reveal key traits that must be considered in order to improve seedling establishment of perennial grasses and increase their ability to compete with B. tectorum
Xylem pressure potential and shoot water content were highest for B. tectorum and lowest for the slow-growing P. spicata under infrequent watering at 30 d (Fig. 1)
Summary
Native perennial bunchgrasses have long been recognized as an integral functional component of shrub-steppe ecosystems of western North America[1] Dominance of these perennial grasses has steadily declined since European settlement due to inadequate grazing tolerance and widespread invasion by annual grass species, foremost among them Bromus tectorum[2,3]. Evidence indicates that the invasive annual grass, B. tectorum, is superior to native perennial grasses for shoot and root production, nitrogen utilization and water extraction when soil resources are abundant[9,10,11]. It remains unclear whether these advantages over perennial grasses are conserved when seedlings are exposed to drought conditions. To clarify key functional differences between native grass species and B. tectorum, it is critical to compare morphological and physiological traits under conditions when resources are abundant and when they are limiting[15]
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