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Article: Tree establishment along an ENSO experimental gradient in the Atacama desert.(El Nino - Southern Oscillation)
- Article from:
- Journal of Vegetation Science
- Article date:
- March 1, 2007
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2007 Opulus Press AB. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Abstract
Questions: (1) What are the roles of regional climate and plant growth rate for seedling establishment during ENSO rainy pulses along the western coast of South America? (2) What is the water threshold for tree seedling establishment in these arid ecosystems?
Location: Atacama Desert, western South America: Piura (5[degrees]10' S, 80[degrees]37' W), Mejia (17[degrees]00' S, 71[degrees]59' W), Fray Jorge (30[degrees]41' S, 71[degrees]37' W).
Methods: We experimentally simulated a gradient of ENSO rainfall in three locations encompassing the total extent of the Atacama Desert to test the relative importance of regional climate for ...