Nitrogen nutrition inAtriplex hastata L.

Summary The investigation was carried out in order to ascertain whyAtriplex hastata, previously recorded as a nitrophilous plant, can colonise fly ash which has a low nitrogen content.Sinapis arvensis, a weed which does not grow on fly ash, was selected as a control plant. Solution-culture experiments showed that the two species differed in their responses to high and low levels of nitrogen, the growth rate ofS. arvensis being much more severely affected by low levels of 0 to 50 ppm.A. hastata was found to make very efficient use of its nitrogen supply. Both species grew better with nitrate than with ammonium nitrogen. InA. hastata, uptake of nitrogen was not influenced by pH when only nitrate was present. Where both nitrate and ammonium were available, nitrate was absorbed preferentially at low pH and ammonium at high pH. Some properties of fly ash which render it a suitable medium for growth ofA. hastata are discussed.     

五大连池火山熔岩台地草本层物种多样性及环境解释

五大连池火山熔岩台地是一种火山地貌, 研究熔岩台地草本物种分布及其环境解释, 对认识火山原生演替过程中植物群落空间格局形成及适应机制具有重要意义。本文以五大连池熔岩台地的草本物种为研究对象, 调查了苔藓、草本、灌丛、阔叶林和针阔混交林等不同植被类型中的草本层样方, 并测定样方中的土壤养分和水分等状况, 采用多样性指数、优势度指数、均匀度指数、物种丰富度评价草本层物种多样性, 通过典范对应分析方法研究了群落组成与土壤因子的关系。结果表明: (1)熔岩台地草本层物种丰富, 共56种, 占本研究调查区总物种数的82.35%, 草本样地的草本层物种多样性、优势度和均匀性高于其他植被类型。(2)熔岩台地土壤pH值对群落草本层物种丰富度和物种个体的空间分布均有较大影响。(3)土壤因子解释了群落分布的79.39%, 其中土壤pH值、速效磷、硝态氮、铵态氮所占的解释量比较大。(4)岩败酱(Patrinia rupestris)、万年蒿(Artemisia sacrorum)、硬质早熟禾(Poa sphondylodes)和中华苦荬菜(Ixeris chinensis)对环境要求较低, 能够适应熔岩台地土壤贫瘠恶劣的环境。熔岩台地不同植被类型表现出对环境资源的特定需求, 熔岩地貌导致了土壤pH值、养分、水分的差异, 并影响植物群落的分布。     

内生真菌对氮添加羽茅根际土壤特性和微生物群落的影响

内生真菌不仅能改变与其共生植物的生理和生长指标,还可通过宿主植物间接对土壤的理化性质和微生物群落结构产生影响。以天然禾草——羽茅(Achnatherum sibiricum)为研究材料,探究在不同施氮水平下,内生真菌的种类对不同基因型的宿主植物根际土壤理化性质和微生物群落产生何种影响。结果表明,内生真菌侵染显著提高了羽茅根际土壤的pH值和微生物总量,但降低了土壤中真菌与细菌的比值。同时,土壤的pH值还受到了内生真菌种类的影响,其中感染Epichlo3 sibirica的羽茅根际土壤pH显著高于感染Epichlo3 gansuense-1的羽茅,而感染Epichlo3 gansuense-2的羽茅根际土壤pH与感染E.gansuensis-1、E.sibirica菌的羽茅相比没有显著差异。另外,内生真菌感染与否、内生真菌种类、施氮量以及宿主植物基因型对土壤总碳、总氮、微生物及碳矿化能力均无显著影响。     

An Evaluation of Revegetation Success on Bauxite Residue

The current study was undertaken to evaluate the success of a revegetation program on three sites within the Bauxite Residue Disposal Area at the Aughinish Alumina Ltd. refinery. This was achieved by determining botanical diversity, substrate conditions, and plant uptake. Two sites revegetated in 1999, with and without the use of gypsum, were assessed and compared to a site revegetated in 1997. Compared to an initial 6 species used in seeding, a total of 47 species were recorded growing on the three sites with greatest diversity on the 1997 site. There was limited variation in the residue properties of the three treatments indicating that diversity was most influenced by succession and not substrate conditions. Limited available manganese was found in all treatments and significantly lower exchangeable magnesium in the gypsum-amended treatment. Exchangeable sodium, aluminum, and pH in the substrate were not at levels of concern. Appreciable nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were found as a result of a fertilizing program. Dominant species in the 1999 treatments, Holcus lanatus and Trifolium pratense , were analyzed for elemental composition. Compared to previous studies, foliar nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium were adequate and sodium levels were low. Manganese and magnesium levels were low, and availability should be assessed as part of the monitoring program. Furthermore, the effect of a fertilizing regime on plant uptake and substrate conditions needs to be assessed.     

Reducing Biotic and Abiotic Land‐Use Legacies to Restore Invaded,Abandoned Citrus Groves

Land‐use legacies associated with agriculture, such as increased soil fertility and elevated soil pH, promote invasions by non‐native plant species on former agricultural lands. Restoring natural soil conditions (i.e. low fertility and low pH) may be an effective, long‐term method to control and reduce the abundance of non‐native and ruderal species that invade abandoned agricultural lands. In this study, we examined how soil manipulation treatments of lowering soil fertility with carbon additions and lowering soil pH by applying sulfur affect non‐native and ruderal native plant species abundance in two former citrus groves in central Florida. Non‐native plant biomass was removed by one of two methods (tilling or topsoil removal), and was combined with a soil amendment of sulfur, carbon, sulfur + carbon, or none. The biomass removal treatments significantly decreased non‐native abundance, with topsoil removal as the most effective. Carbon additions did not affect soil fertility or vegetation. Sulfur and sulfur + carbon additions significantly decreased soil pH in both groves for at least 1 year post‐treatment; however, we did not see a significant vegetation response. Overall, our results suggest that removing vegetation by tilling and topsoil removal is an effective method for reducing non‐target species cover. Although we did not see a response of vegetation to our treatments, we were able to restore the initial soil characteristics, which can be a first step toward complete restoration.     

Effects of Dominant Plant Species on Soils during Succession in Nutrient-poor Ecosystems

During the initial phases of succession on nutrient-poor, mineral substrates dead plant material accumulates rapidly in the soil. This accumulation of soil organic matter can result in a more than 10-fold increase in nitrogen mineralization within a few decades. These changes in soil features have important consequences for plant growth and the competition between plant species. During succession in heathlands an increase in nutrient mineralization leads to species with low maximum growth rates and low biomass loss rates being replaced by species with high potential growth rates and high biomass losses. The plant properties responsible for reduced biomass loss rates appear to result in the litter produced being poorly decomposable, whereas the litter from plants with high potential growth rates decomposes more easily. Model simulations suggest that such combinations of plant features greatly influence the increase in mineralization and the change in plant species composition during ecosystem development. Studies in the field and garden plot experiments confirmed this hypothesis.     

青藏高原禾草混播对土壤微生物多样性的影响

土壤微生物多样性的形成、维持和变化机理是生态学研究的核心内容, 已有大量研究表明土壤微生物群落构建不仅受到土壤环境的深刻影响, 也与植物群落物种多样性密切相关。由于自然群落中土壤环境和植物多样性协同影响土壤微生物, 难以区分和厘清植物多样性和土壤环境对土壤微生物多样性构建的各自影响。该研究基于在青藏高原高寒草地构建的人工草地群落, 比较分析了3种优势禾本科牧草单播和混播及施肥处理13年后, 土壤细菌和真菌物种多样性及其与植物群落和土壤理化因子的关系。主要结果: 1)与各单播处理相比, 3种牧草两两混播一致显著降低了土壤细菌群落的丰富度和多样性, 其中变形菌门和放线菌门相对丰度显著增加, 而酸杆菌门、拟杆菌门和浮霉菌门相对丰度显著减小; 牧草混播对土壤真菌多样性没有显著影响。2)牧草混播显著降低了土壤pH和土壤全氮含量, 增加了土壤全磷含量; 施肥显著降低土壤pH, 增加了土壤速效磷含量; 但这些土壤理化因子的变化不足以解释土壤细菌和真菌多样性在处理间的差异。3)施肥显著提高了植物群落地上生物量, 降低了植物物种丰富度, 土壤细菌多样性随植物物种丰富度增加而减小, 而与植物生物量变化无关。该研究在野外条件下, 通过长期控制实验揭示了高寒草地禾草混播并不增加土壤微生物多样性, 为高寒地区牧草混播人工草地实践提供了科学依据。     

不同生态保护地植物特征和土壤性质的对比研究——以黑河中游湿地为例

选择黑河中游张掖国家湿地公园和张掖黑河湿地国家级自然保护区为研究对象,对比分析了植物组成、物种多样性、植物生长状态、土壤养分、土壤理化性质及植物土壤间关系。结果显示:湿地公园的植物高度和土壤养分含量(有机碳、全氮、速效氮、全磷、速效钾)显著高于自然保护区,土壤理化性质含量(容重、pH)显著低于自然保护区,表明湿地公园有利于植物生长发育、土壤养分固存、改善土壤质地;自然保护区的植物科属种、多度、物种多样性(多样性指数、丰富度指数、均匀度指数)显著高于湿地公园,表明自然保护区有利于维持植物多样性;两种保护地中影响植物多样性的土壤因子不同,湿地公园物种多样性与土壤全磷和速效磷显著正相关,而自然保护区物种多样性与土壤盐分显著负相关。     

Soil characteristics of Rocky Mountain National Park grasslands invaded by Melilotus officinalis and M. alba

Aim Invasion of nitrogen‐fixing non‐native plant species may alter soil resources and impact native plant communities. Altered soils may be the driving mechanism that provides a suitable environment to facilitate future invasions and decrease native biodiversity. We hypothesized that Melilotus invasion would increase nitrogen availability and produce soil microclimate and biochemical changes, which could in turn alter plant species composition in a montane grassland community. Location Our research addressed the effects of white and yellow sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis and M. alba) invasion on soil characteristics and nitrogen processes in the montane grasslands in Rocky Mountain National Park. Methods We sampled soil in replicate sites of Melilotus‐invaded and control (non‐invaded) patches within disturbed areas in montane grassland habitats. Soil composites were analysed for available nitrogen, net nitrogen mineralization, moisture, carbon/nitrogen (C : N ratio), texture, organic matter and pH. Data were recorded at three sample dates during the growing seasons of 1998 and 1999. Results Contrary to our expectations, we observed lower nitrogen availability and mineralization in invaded patches, and differences in soil moisture content and soil C : N. Soil C : N ratios were higher in invaded plots, in spite of the fact that Melilotus had the lowest C : N ratios of other plant tissue analysed in this study. Main conclusions These findings provide land managers of natural areas with a better perspective on the possibilities of nitrogen‐fixing species impact on soil nutrient levels.     

基于盐分梯度的黑河中游湿地植物多样性及其与土壤因子的关系

湿地植物多样性的研究对维持湿地生态系统完整性和稳定性有着重要意义。以黑河中游湿地为研究对象,基于野外采样数据和不同盐分梯度植物群落多样性指数,重点分析不同盐分梯度植物多样性变化及其与土壤因子关系。结果表明:黑河中游湿地植物组成比较丰富,共出现植物30科71属102种;随土壤盐分梯度增加,植物群落组成发生显著变化,Margalef丰富度指数(R)和Shannon-Weiner多样性指数(H)均减小,说明研究区植物多样性随盐分增加而减少;不同盐分梯度影响植物多样性的土壤因子存在差异,低盐梯度是pH、速效钾和全氮,中盐梯度是pH、速效磷和速效钾,高盐梯度是有机质、全磷、速效钾和速效氮。该研究结果对于认识不同盐分梯度下影响植物多样性的主要土壤因子具有重要意义,同时对黑河中游湿地植物多样性的有效管理和维持具有一定的参考价值。     

滇西北高原纳帕海湖滨湿地退化特征、规律与过程

采用双向指示种分析(TWINSPAN)和典范对应分析(CCA)方法,研究了滇西北高原纳帕海湖滨湿地退化特征、规律与过程.结果表明: 纳帕海湖滨湿地植物群落可以划分为4个群丛,群落演替规律为水生植物群落→沼泽植物群落→沼泽化草甸植物群落→草甸植物群落.随植物群落演替,群落盖度、密度、多样性指数、物种丰富度和地上生物量均增大,群落高度减小;植物水分生态型演替规律为水生植物→沼生植物→湿生植物→中生植物.随群落演替,湿地水体矿化度、硬度和碱度均降低,氨氮和总磷含量升高,总氮和硝态氮含量变化不明显;土壤pH、有机质和全氮含量逐渐降低,全磷和全钾含量逐渐升高,速效氮和速效磷含量先增大后减小.CCA分析表明,群落结构和物种组成主要受水分梯度影响,土壤pH、全磷和湿地水的总氮、氨氮对湿地植物物种分布和群落演替影响显著.     

Correcting iron deficiencies in annual and perennial plants: Present technologies and future prospects

Correction of Fe chlorosis is done mainly by foliar sprays because soil applications generally are ineffective, especially for annual crops. Inorganic Fe sources applied to soils react rapidly to forms which are not as available to plants; ferrous Fe is oxidized to the ferric form in well-aerated soils, especially as soil pH increases. Several synthetic chelates and organic complexes have been used with varying success, depending upon Fe source and rate, application method, plant species, and weather and soil conditions. Use of Fe-efficient cultivars is one method of counteracting Fe deficiencies in some species. Future prospects for improving control of Fe chlorosis lie more with development of Fe-efficient cultivars of Fe-sensitive species than with development of improved Fe fertilizers and methods of application. The techniques of molecular biology should be applicable to help solve this important plant nutrition problem, but priority has not been given to conduct this research at this time.     

Linkage between root systems of three pioneer plant species and soil nitrogen during early reclamation of a mine site in Lusatia,Germany

In 2005, a 7‐ha artificial watershed (Chicken Creek) was built on a post mined landscape in Lusatia, Germany from sandy substrates of Pleistocene origin, commonly used in reclamation. The watershed was developed to investigate the initial phase of soil and ecosystem development under natural conditions. At this early stage, mineral nitrogen in young sandy soils is primarily limited and nitrogen fixing legumes become key components of natural succession. Local abundant pioneering legumes Lotus corniculatus and Trifolium arvense and one pioneer grass species Calamagrostis epigeios were investigated 5 years after watershed construction. In this study, we investigated the influence of spatial root and nodule distribution of these species on soil nitrogen accumulation. Soil, including roots, was sampled from field monoliths covered with the aforementioned plant species. Root systems of both legumes were mainly restricted to the upper 20 cm of soil, whereas roots of C. epigeios also developed strongly at greater depths. A positive relationship was found, with higher plant densities associated with higher root densities which were associated with higher nodule densities for legumes and which were all associated with significantly higher soil nitrogen content relative to non‐vegetated areas. This research provides rare information on the role root systems of pioneer legumes play in soil nitrogen input in the early stage of soil and ecosystem development during revegetation by natural succession.     

天山中段南坡巴伦台地区不同海拔植物群落物种多样性与土壤因子的关系

为探讨天山中段南坡巴伦台植物群落物种多样性随海拔梯度的分布特征及其与土壤环境因子的关系,该研究采用野外调查的方法,在和静县巴伦台地区海拔范围内设置34个样地进行了植物多样性和土壤因子的调查及室内指标的统计分析。结果表明:(1)研究区共调查到30科75属134种植物,草本层为主要优势层。不同海拔高度上土壤理化指标具有异质性,土壤含水量、全盐、有机质、全氮、全钾、有效氮和有效钾差异性显著(P<0.05),其中除全钾以外,其他土壤因子的含量均表现为中海拔大于低、高海拔区域。随海拔的升高,植物群落在低、高海拔段Pielou均匀度指数较高; 灌木层物种Patrick丰富度指数较低; 草本层物种Shannon-Wiener指数、Simpson指数随海拔升高先增加后减小。(2)RDA分析表明,影响植物群落物种多样性的主要环境因子是海拔、土壤含水量、全盐、有机质、全氮和有效氮。海拔作为主导因子,与草本层各物种多样性指数呈正相关,与灌木层各物种多样性指数呈负相关关系; 全盐是抑制植物群落总体物种Simpson指数的主要土壤因子; 氮元素一定程度上限制灌木、半灌木物种的生长。该研究结果表明土壤因子对不同生活型物种多样性的形成具有一定的筛选作用及不同物种对环境变化的适应策略不同。     

Plant quality or quantity? Host exploitation strategies in three Chrysomelidae species associated with Asteraceae host plants

Phytophagous insects which feed on the leaves of herbaceous host plants have to adapt their life histories to the fact that protein nitrogen is usually highest in growing tissues in spring. We monitored field populations of larvae and adults of three chrysomelid species (Galeruca tanaceti (L.) (main host Achillea millefolium (L.) Yarrow), Cassida rubiginosa (Mueller) (main host Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.) and Oreina luctuosa (Suffrian) (host Centaurea scabiosa (L.)) together with the amount of protein nitrogen of their food resources and host plant biomass. As expected, the development of host quality, measured as concentration of protein nitrogen, and host plant biomass showed inverse trends during the season. The euryphagous G. tanaceti attacks Achillea early and profits from high nitrogen concentrations in the leaves. Occasional overexploitations of local populations of Achillea are compensated by the capacity to move to other host species. In C. rubiginosa, a species with a host range restricted to the Cardueae, the main larval feeding activity is postponed to a period when the nitrogen content of the host leaves had dropped to 50% of its initial value, but when host plant biomass had increased by 30%. In the monophagous O. luctuosa the larval development is synchronized with a still later phase of host phenology, at which the nitrogen content is below 50% but plant biomass has reached its maximum. There seem to be selection factors, which oppose the use of high quality food in spring and which force the latter two species to postpone their larval development to a later time in the year. This could be caused by numerous factors like, for example, mean daytime temperature. Later in the season the larvae have to cope with the low quality of their host plants. They have, however, the advantage of large quantities of food available.A laboratory study with adults and mature larvae of O. luctuosa shows that this species can overcome low levels of protein nitrogen either by selecting younger leaves with higher nitrogen concentrations or by increasing the daily food consumption rate (RCR) on leaves with a low level of nitrogen and by a prolongation of the feeding period. In this way the larvae compensate the effect of lower daily growth rates (RGR) and a lower food conversion index (ECI) on poor food quality: Regardless of the level of protein nitrogen there was no statistically significant difference in total gain of weight during the third-instar feeding period and in the weight at the end of the third larval stage. The three investigated chrysomelids show that there exists a broad spectrum of adaptations to overcome the dilemma of variable food quality.     

桂林岩溶石山不同坡向灌丛植物多样性与土壤环境因子的关系

该研究以桂林岩溶石山灌丛植物为对象,分析了灌丛群落物种丰富度指数、Shannon-Wiener指数和Pielou均匀度指数与土壤环境因子随坡向(阴坡-阳坡)梯度的变化规律。结果表明:(1)土壤含水量、土壤温度、土壤pH和土壤全磷均对植物群落类型及物种分布具有显著的影响,坡向对植物群落类型及物种分布具有极显著的影响;而土壤全氮、土壤有效氮和土壤有机碳对植物群落类型及物种分布则均无显著影响。(2)除Pielou均匀度指数在阴坡与阳坡差异不显著外,物种丰富度指数、Shannon-Wiener指数对不同坡向微生境均存在显著差异。其中,物种丰富度指数和Shannon-Wiener指数在不同坡向上均表现出相同的变化趋势,即阴坡大于阳坡。(3)除土壤pH值和土壤全磷含量差异不显著外,坡向对土壤含水量、土壤温度、土壤全氮含量、土壤有效氮含量、土壤有机碳含量均产生显著的影响。其中,土壤含水量、土壤有效氮含量、土壤有机碳含量则为阴坡大于阳坡,而土壤温度和土壤全氮含量为阴坡小于阳坡。(4)多元逐步回归分析表明,在阴坡上,各土壤环境因子对物种丰富度指数、Shannon-Wiener指数和Pielou均匀度指数作用均不显著;在阳坡上,物种丰富度指数与土壤温度呈显著负相关、与土壤有机碳含量呈显著正相关;Shannon-Wiener指数与土壤含水量和土壤有机碳含量呈显著正相关;Pielou均匀度指数与土壤有机碳含量呈显著正相关、与土壤全磷含量呈显著负相关。     

热带滨海沙滩上森林植被的组成成分与土壤性质的研究

1　前　言在 1 96 3年张宏达提到分布在海南万宁海岸沙滩上的青梅林 (Ｖａｔｉｃａｍａｎ ｇａｃｈａｐｏｉｆｏｒｅｓｔ)时 ,就认为该森林缺乏雨林的结构[1 ],但仍把它归入平地及低山的原生植被里[2 ]。 1 981年 ,胡玉佳对海南龙脑香林进行比较研究后指出 ,这是一块分布在特殊环境里的热带雨林类型 ,由于土壤条件恶劣和常年受海风的影响 ,形成了这一特殊森林[3 ]。 1 987年王伯荪在讨论季雨林的概念时 ,进一步指出这块森林属于土壤顶极森林群落[4 ]。尽管前人未曾对这一块热带滨海沙滩上的森林植被性质与土壤性质的相互关系开展过详细的比…     

植物对有机氮源的利用及其在自然生态系统中的意义

近来大量实验研究表明,许多植物能够在不经矿化的情况下直接吸收、利用环境介质中的生物有机氮,尤其氨基酸类。而且,有些植物利用氨基酸的效率可以与矿质氮源(NH4 、NO3)相当或更高。自然界植物赖以生存的土壤生境中同时存在多种有机氮和矿质氮养分,这是导致植物(至少部分植物)进化产生利用各种不同氮源能力的环境驱动力。土壤中的游离氨基酸尽管含量不高,但其周转快、通量大,理论上可远大于植物的氮需求。尽管植物在与土壤微生物的有机氮源竞争中处于根本性劣势,但土壤中氨基酸的巨大潜在通量和植物相对于微生物的生命周期仍可使植物在长期竞争中获取数量可观的氮。基于植物根对氨基酸的吸收能力、土壤中游离氨基酸库的大小和通量、植物与土壤微生物对氨基酸氮源的竞争以及有关的原位实验结果,近来许多研究者都认为植物有机氮营养在多种生态系统中是重要或潜在重要的。尤其是在一些极地、高山、亚高山、北方针叶林或泰加林生态系统中,由于低温等因素限制有机氮矿化,土壤氨基酸浓度常超过矿质氮(NH4 、NO3-)浓度,氨基酸可能代表着植物的一个主要氮源。认识到现实生态系统中植物对有机氮源利用的重要性意味着传统的矿质营养观念的更新,这将在很大程度上改变人们对某些重要生态过程的理解,并导致对若干生态学中心问题的再认识。研究以森林生态系统为例,阐述了我国开展该领域研究的科学意义和基本框架。     

植物种类对野芷湖湖岸带土壤反硝化作用的影响

反硝化作用是湖岸带有效去除氮素的关键氮循环过程,受到植物、土壤理化性质及微生物等因素的影响。为探究湖岸带不同植物对土壤反硝化作用的影响,通过调查测定野芷湖湖岸带9种常见植物的根际与非根际土壤的反硝化功能基因丰度和反硝化潜势,分析其与土壤理化性质的关系,阐明植物种类影响反硝化作用的机制。研究结果表明:(1)种植植物会改变湖岸带土壤的理化指标,植物根际土的硝态氮(NN)、铵态氮(AN)、总碳(TC)、总氮(TN)和可溶性有机碳(DOC)含量等显著高于非根际土,其中柳树、黄素馨、喜旱莲子草根际土的TC、DOC、TN、NN显著高于其他物种,桂树的根际和非根际土的pH均显著低于其他物种;(2)植物根际土的微生物反硝化功能基因(narG、napA、nirS、nirK和nosZ)丰度显著高于非根际土,其中柳树、黄素馨、喜旱莲子草根际土的基因丰度显著高于其他物种, pH、TN、NN和DOC等对反硝化功能基因丰度影响较大;(3)根际土的反硝化潜势显著高于非根际土,其中柳树、桂树、黄素馨根际土的反硝化潜势显著高于其他物种,黄素馨非根际土的反硝化潜势也较高,pH、DOC、TN以及napA、nirS、norB基因丰度等对土壤的反硝化潜势具有显著影响。本研究说明植物根际微环境更有利于反硝化微生物的生长与繁殖,湖岸带种植植物时可考虑不同的常绿和落叶乔木、灌木、草本植物的合理配置来提高湖岸带的氮素截留能力,以减少由过量氮素进入水生生态系统导致的面源污染。     

Seasonal patterns of canopy development and carbon gain in nineteen warm desert shrub species

Summary Canopy development and photosynthetic rate were measured at monthly intervals over a period of one year in 19 shrub and subshrub species of the Mojave and upper Sonoran Deserts. Thirteen of these species realized a substantial fraction of their total net carbon assimilation via twig photosynthesis. The twig contribution to whole plant yearly carbon gain reached a maximum of 83% in species such as Thamnosma montana, Salizaria mexicana, and Baccharis brachyphylla. This large contribution by twigs was due to both low levels of leaf production and the greater longevity of twig tissues. In some other species, however, leaf and twig organs had similar lifespans. During the year of this study (which had an unusually warm, mild winter), no species showed a pattern of winter deciduousness. The reduction in total photosynthetic area between maximal spring canopy development and mid August summer dormancy ranged from 32 to 94%. Some herbaceous perennial species died back to the ground, but none of the woody shrubs were totally without green canopy area at any time of the year. No species studied were capable of high rates of photosynthesis at low plant water potentials in July and August, but, in those species which maintained a substantial canopy area through the drought period, previously stressed tissues showed substantial recovery after fall rains. Photosynthetic rate was significantly correlated with both plant water potential and tissue nitrogen content over the entire year, but only weakly so. This is due in part to the winter months when plant water potentials and tissue nitrogen contents were high, but photosynthetic rates were often low.