Responses of savanna lawn and bunch grasses to water limitation

摘要: The grass layer of African savannas consists two main vegetation types: grazing lawns, dominated by short, mostly clonally reproducing grasses, and bunch grasslands, tall grasses. This patchy distribution types is created large herbivores, which selectively feed on the more nutritious lawn species. Besides grazing, herbivores trample soil, thereby causing soil compaction, with possible consequences for water infiltration. raises questions: (i) limiting in lawns than grasslands (ii) are grasses drought tolerant grasses? To study these questions, we compared conditions both a South savanna. Additionally, climate room, performance three species under control limitation treatment. Thirdly, investigated whether there differences between traits related to tolerance. Our results show that despite availability field, did not differ their growth response drought. Drought reduced forms equally. However, found strong intrinsic trait forms, having higher specific root length relative rate root:shoot ratio. These suggest after drought-induced plant death, might be capable recolonizing patches bare soil.