Variation in plant moisture stress associated with forest communities in the H. J. Andrews Experimental Forest

Abstract

Measurement of plant moisture stress of 1-2 m understory conifers was made in "reference stands" on the H. J. Andrews Experimental Forest in 1970-1972. Maximum stress each year (measured between midnight and dawn) is closely correlated with the position of each community along one axis of an ordination of the vegetation. In some stands, stress decreases during rainless periods, for uncertain reasons. Apparently, use of different species in different plots does not, of itself, lead to differences in stresses measured at the plots.