Title:	SOIL ECOLOGY RESEARCH DEVELOPMENTS
Authors:	TIAN-XIAO LIU, Dr. Robert Grace
Keywords:	Environment
Issue Date:	2008
Publisher:	Nova Science Publishers
Description:	Soil ecology is the study of the interactions among soil organisms, and between biotic and abiotic aspects of the soil environment. It is particularly concerned with the cycling of nutrients, formation and stabilization of the pore structure, the spread and vitality of pathogens, and the biodiversity of this rich biological community. This new book presents the latest research in the field rom around the world. Short Communication A - Bare soil forms an important part of the surface cover in Mediterranean arid and semiarid areas dominated by Stipa tenacissima L. tussock grass. Some studies have stressed the relevance of the spatial arrangement of this species in the improvement of sediment dynamic and soil characteristics close to the tussock. Reciprocally, bare soil condition has been considered as a key factor in the physiological performance of S. tenacissima stands. On the other side, other studies have neglected the capacity of the root system of this species to explore and consume resources from bare soil surrounding the tussock. In the present work the authors show some evidences that suggest the importance of bare soil near to the tussock in the water status of this species, especially in the high water stress season. The authors have found that water gains in bare soil from water vapour adsorption were highly coincident with the S. tenacissima stand transpiration. Furthermore, S. tenacissima sub-populations living in rock outcrops with lower connectivity with the surrounded bare soil showed higher signs of physiological water stress than those stands in areas with more soil availability. The authors believe that an interaction of water dynamics between bare soil and S. tenacissima tussocks would have to be reconsidered to fully understand ecophysiology of this species
URI:	http://10.6.20.12:80/handle/123456789/28611
ISBN:	978-1-60692-829-5
Appears in Collections:	Environmental and Development Studies

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