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Abstract Detail



Ecophysiology

Ahedor, Adjoa R. [1], Chancellor, James [2], Kamara, Margaret [2].

Insights on evapotranspiration rates of Eastern redcedar (Juniperus viginiana) and Bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) and the biohydrologic effects on the semiarid grassland of Oklahoma.      .

Juniperus virginiana (Eastern redcedar) is the most widely distributed conifer in the eastern half of the United States. It is a pioneer species on old fields, and pastures protected from fire. Tree species particularly, the invasive Eastern redcedar are rapidly expanding their range in states in the Southern Great Plains including Oklahoma due to fire suppression. The encroachment of the Eastern redcedar in the state has recently raised concerns of land owners and water resource managers; it is feared to reduce stream flow and groundwater recharge in the grassland due to water loss from evaporation and transpiration (Evapotranspiration). The objective of the study was to compare evapotranspiration rates between Eastern redcedar and adjacent Bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa) trees occurring in Central Oklahoma. Branch tips of trees were securely bagged for 24-hour periods, moisture collected in bags were weighed and analyzed. Results of the measurements indicate that evapotranspiration rates are much lower in Eastern redcedar trees than in Bur oak trees during warm seasons but, higher in cold seasons when Bur oak trees are dormant. The conifer was observed to transpire even during low ambient temperatures. Thus, the overall annual water loss via evapotranspiration was estimated to be higher in Eastern redcedar than in Bur oak due to the adaptation of the evergreen conifer to cold climates. However, the measurements indicate that during warm and growing seasons, stream flow and groundwater recharge reductions are more likely to occur from Bur oaks rather than from Eastern redcedars.


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1 - Rose State College, Engineering And Science, 6420 S.E. 15th Street, Midwest City, OK, 73110, USA
2 - Rose State College, 6420 S.E. 15th Street, Midwest CIty, Oklahoma, 73110, United States

Keywords:
Evapotranspiration
Biohydrology
invasive species
fire.

Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Topics
Session: P
Location: Eyrie/Boise Centre
Date: Monday, July 28th, 2014
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: PEP006
Abstract ID:331
Candidate for Awards:None


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