ISSN:
1572-9761
Keywords:
lightning research
;
precipitation
;
vegetation
;
monsoon
;
GIS
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Abstract We investigated the question “Is there a relationship between seasonality in precipitation and vegetative cover in Pole Canyon, NM?” GIS and statistical methods were used to determine the degree of association between either summer or winter precipitation and percent canopy cover for trees, graminoids and total vegetation. Monsoon (summer) precipitation was predicted for the years 1986–1994 from lightning strike and relative humidity data by multiple regression. Winter precipitation, the percent of annual precipitation that occurs during winter, and vegetative cover were derived from the Forest Service Terrestrial Ecosystem Survey. Vegetation and precipitation data were ranked and classified (e.g., high, medium, low) and cross-tabulations were generated to compare the spatial distribution of vegetation classes within each precipitation class. Results indicate that seasonality in precipitation affects the distribution and spatial pattern of vegetation at landscape scales. Winter precipitation is a key factor that influences the distribution and spatial pattern of tree cover. Monsoon precipitation may affect the spatial pattern of graminoid cover where Bouteloua gracilis dominates. Winter precipitation may affect the distribution and spatial pattern of graminoid cover where Festuca arizonica dominates. Some of the unexplained relationships may be due to competition between trees and graminoids for moisture and other limiting factors. The importance of temperature was implicit in the division between summer (monsoon) and winter seasons. Annual precipitation, elevation, topography and edaphic factors probably contributed to the observed relationships.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1007944431837
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