Patterns of water potential among forest types of the central Himalaya

Water potential (ψ) of soil and trees was measured in 16 forests from 450 to 2310 m elevation in the Kumaun Himalaya, during a two-year period. Predawn ψ, averaged across all species at a site was high (i.e. not stressful) at low elevations and variable at higher elevations. The incidence of low ψ a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Current science (Bangalore) 2001-03, Vol.80 (6), p.774-779
Main Authors: Zobel, Donald B., Garkoti, Satish C., Singh, Surendra P., Tewari, Ashish, Negi, C. M. S.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Asia, Himalaya Mts
Coniferous forests
Forest soils
Forest stands
Plants
Rainy seasons
RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
Seasons
Soil water
Summer
Trees
Winter
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Summary:Water potential (ψ) of soil and trees was measured in 16 forests from 450 to 2310 m elevation in the Kumaun Himalaya, during a two-year period. Predawn ψ, averaged across all species at a site was high (i.e. not stressful) at low elevations and variable at higher elevations. The incidence of low ψ at high elevations was opposite the usual pattern elsewhere. Midday ψ varied similarly. Patterns of plant and soil ψ differed. ψ values, especially in summer and winter, were severe enough to affect tree growth adversely.
ISSN:0011-3891