Effect of single Quercus ilex trees upon spatial and seasonal changes in soil water content in dehesas of central western Spain

摘要: The spatial and temporal evolution of soil water content (θ) in Quercus ilex dehesas has been investigated to determine how trees modify the dynamics nature tree-grass interactions terms use these ecosystems. Soil physical parameters θ were measured at different distances from tree trunk (2–30 m) upper 300 cm soil. was monthly by TDR during 2002–2005. Tree potential determined summers 2004 2005. At deeper layers, mean values higher beyond than beneath canopy dry periods. depletion continued even summer, when herbaceous plants dried up, suggesting that uptake whole inter-tree space. Results have shown a high dependence on deep reserves throughout late spring which helps avoid competition for with vegetation.