Water stress of Pinusponderosa in relation to foliage density of neighboring plants

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Abstract
The relationship of predawn needle water potential of ponderosa pine (Pinusponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.) and the foliage density of neighboring plants was examined after experimental gradients of foliage were established on two sites in northwestern Montana. In late summer, soil water content linearly decreased in relation to the amount of foliage of herbs and shrubs. Predawn needle water potential of pine seedlings planted along the gradient ranged from −0.5 MPa when competitor foliage was near zero to less than −3.0 MPa when such foliage was more extensive. Even when neighboring plants had a small amount of transpiring foliage at this time of year, the pine seedlings had an increased level of water stress.

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