Performance of two Eucalyptus species at different slope positions and aspects in a contour-ridge planting system in the Negev Desert of Israel

• Published in: Forest ecology and management 1995-07, Vol.75 (1), p.41-48
• Main Authors: Brunori, A., Nair, P.K.R., Rockwood, D.L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Arid land; ARID SOILS; Biological and medical sciences; CAPTACION DE AGUAS; CAPTAGE D'EAU; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; CONTOUR CULTIVATION; CULTIVO EN CURVAS DE NIVEL; CULTURE EN COURBE DE NIVEAU; Environmental degradation: ecosystems survey and restoration; EUCALYPTUS; Eucalyptus occidentalis; Eucalyptus sargentii; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; ISRAEL; Liman; RENDEMENT; RENDIMIENTO; Semiarid land; SLOPING LAND; Soil erosion, conservation, land management and development; Soil science; SOL DE ZONE ARIDE; SUELO ARIDO; TERRE EN PENTE; TERRENO EN DECLIVE; WATER HARVESTING; YIELDS
• ISSN: 0378-1127; 1872-7042
• DOI: 10.1016/0378-1127(95)03540-Q

The growth of Eucalyptus occidentalis and Eucalyptus sargentii, established in January 1987 at different slope positions and aspects under a water-harvesting system in Dudaim, Negev Desert of Israel, was investigated during October 1991 to January 1992 and September–December 1993. Seven years after planting, E. sargentii had higher above-ground biomass (AGB) than E. occidentalis (91.17±3.99 kg vs. 45.82±2.00 kg per tree) and had 70% foliage biomass as opposed to 40% in E. occidentalis. The two species did not differ significantly in their stem biomass ( SB) and total height ( H). The effect of slope position on tree growth was significant; trees in the mid-slope position (with shallower soils of high sodicity) showed the lowest AGB and SB yield (30% less than those of the other positions) and lower height. The effect of aspect on tree growth was also highly significant. In general, trees on northern aspects had higher SB and AGB and H, than those on western aspect; trees on southern aspects were the poorest in growth. The study suggests that E. sargentii is a better shade and windbreak tree, while E. occidentalis is a better fuelwood species under arid-zone conditions.