Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Ecology

Publication Date

7-1977

Volume

58

Issue

4

First Page

893

Last Page

899

Abstract

Leaf area of nature coniferous forest communities of western Oregon appears to be related primarily to site H2O balance rather than characteristics of tree species composing the community. Leaf areas were determined for stands in communities ranked along measured gradients of precipitation and evaporative potential. Nine coniferous and 1 deciduous tree species were found in the various stands along these gradients. Leaf areas of these stands were linearly correlated with a simple site H2O balance index computed from measurements of growing season precipitation, open pan evaporation, and estimates of soil H2O storage. Species composition had no apparent influence on the relation between community leaf area and site H2O balance.

Keywords

Coniferous forests, forest structure, leaf area, moisture gradients, Oregon, site water balance

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/1936225

Rights

© 1977 The Ecological Society of America

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