Ecophysiological Responses to Neighbor Removal in an Old-Field and a Prairie in Northeastern Kansas, USA

摘要: An ecophysiological approach was used to determine if competition can be detected among plants in a recently abandoned old-field and native tallgrass prairie northeastern Kansas. In situ photosynthetic parameters water potentials (Ψ) of target were measured 1-2 d after neighbor (intra- interspecific) removal as well 1-4 weeks later, compared with values for neighbors. Only two the six study species (four species) responded neighboring plants, only several had elapsed. Net rates (PN) stomatal conductances (gs) Ambrosia trifida an increased both intra- interspecific For Apocynum cannabinum, another species, PN without neighbors significantly higher than that these Ψ not different between neighbors, suggesting availability nutrients may have been responsible observed responses. Though numerous past studies indicate is major factor influencing communities, experimental this revealed limited effects on ecophysiology either community.