The importance of Olneya tesota as a nurse plant in the Sonoran Desert
Citations Over TimeTop 12% of 1996 papers
Abstract
Abstract. The function of Olneya tesota (ironwood) as a nurse plant and habitat modifier species in the Sonoran Desert was evaluated at five study sites (using 75 250‐m 2 sample plots) from Bahia Kino, Sonora to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona. Beneath the canopy of O. tesota trees 75 perennial plant species were found. A principal component ordination of the plots created three groups: southern, perturbed and protected sites. A strong triple association of columnar cacti, big shrubs with berry type fruits and O. tesota was detected. The relationships of Lophocereus schottii and Peniocereus striatus with O. tesota were studied in more detail. Significant differences in soil surface temperatures and stem temperatures of P. striatus were detected beneath the shade of O. tesota trees compared with soils and plants in open spaces. Olneya tesota must be considered as a habitat modifier species with ecological and conservational importance to the plant communities in the Sonoran Desert.
Related Papers
- → The Vegetation of Wisconsin. An Ordination of Plant Communities.(1961)798 cited
- An analysis on quantitative classification and ordination of aquatic plant communities in Caohai natural reserve.(2010)
- Classification and Ordination of Plant Community in the Maotai Water Functional District(2012)
- Quantitative Classification and Ordination of Wetland Vegetation from the Mouth of Fen River to the Yellow River(2010)