Stunt Ranch Santa Monica Mountains Reserve

12 Sep, 02 AM - 12 Sep, 11 AM

I plan to investigate seasonal water relations of Salvia apiana, S. leucophylla, and S. mellifera, three widely distributed drought-deciduous species within the coastal sage scrub of Southern California. Evidence suggests that during the dry season (late spring-early fall) S. apiana maintains higher water potentials than S. leucophylla and S. mellifera even though S. apiana occurs at more xeric sites than the other two species. Because the three species co-occur at Stunt Ranch, I will be able to determine the morphological and physiological differences among the species, which will allow me to determine if these differences are inherent among the three species or if they are due to environmental heterogeneity. As very few data exists for rooting depth of the Salvia species, I will excavate a small number of plants of each species in order to explain differences in water relations related to root distribution. Evidence also suggests all three species display seasonally dimorphic leaves and that their canopy coverage decreases throughout the dry season. Specific leaf area and canopy coverage for the plants at Stunt Ranch will be measured to see how these characteristics vary among the three Salvia species. Finally, gas exchange and leaf energy balances will also be determined in order to reveal the physiological significance of leaf morphology and rooting depth. The results of this project are expected to provide information on why these three species are typically separated geographically in the coastal sage scrub and whether they occupy different niches at Stunt Ranch.

Visit #26044 @Stunt Ranch Santa Monica Mountains Reserve

Approved

Under Project # 24070 | Research

Ecophysiology of Three Dominant Salvia Species in Southern California Coastal Sage Scrub

faculty - California Polytechnic State University (CSU), Pomona

Reservation Members(s)

Group of 2 Graduate Student Sep 12, 2011 (1 days)
Edward Bobich Sep 12, 2011 (1 days)
Edward Bobich Sep 12, 2011 (1 days)

Reserve Resources(s) | Create Invoice

Day Use Only 4 Sep 12 (9 hours)