Transpiration Dynamics of Esparto Grass (Stipa tenacissima L.) in Semi-Arid Mediterranean Climate: Unraveling the Impacts of Soil Water, Pine Competence, and Bush Maturity

• DOI: 10.20944/preprints202401.1511.v1
• Publication Date: 2024-01-23T07:21:06Z
• Authors: Iván Pérez-Anta; Eva Rubio; Francisco Ramón L...; Diego Garcés; Manuela Andrés; Marta Picazo; Wafa Chebbi; Rocío Arquero; Francisco Antonio...
• Keywords: Stipa; Semi-arid climate

Stipa tenacissima (S. tenacissima), or esparto, is a perennial tussock grass that coexists with Pinus halepensis (P. halepensis) in semi-arid mediterranean woodlands. This research was carried out to explore diurnal transpiration at leaf level esparto under different levels of pine-esparto competition and contrasting environmental conditions soil water. The measurements were spanned from the summer 2020 spring 2021. relationship between competence conducted open closed P. stands taken into account type leave (green, senescent) maturity grass. We observed higher control green leaves, correlations water noted exclusively this leaf. Our results substantiated significant impact pine competitors on grass, particularly during seasons characterized by high water-demand scenarios: drought period commencement growing flowering (spring). Furthermore, our findings confirmed greater response mature bushes compared young ones severe stress, denoting adaptation as ages. may have important implications for dynamics management these mixed woodlands, well planning reforestation programs aimed restoring steppes.