limited role of snow water in the growth and development of ephemeral plants in a cold desert

• Published in: Journal of vegetation science Vol. 25; no. 3; pp. 681 - 690
• Main Authors: Fan, Lian‐Lian, Tang, Li‐Song, Wu, Lin‐Feng, Ma, Jian, Li, Yan, Güsewell, Sabine
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Opulus Press 01.05.2014; Blackwell Publishing Ltd; Blackwell
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Annual plants; Biological and medical sciences; biomass; body size; cold; correlation; Deserts; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; germination; growing season; Growth; habitats; plant communities; Plant density; Plant growth; Plant height; Plants; Precipitation; Primary productivity; rain; Rainfall; rooting; Rooting depth; roots; Seed germination; Seedling establishment; Seedlings; Snow; Snow cover; snowmelt; snowpack; Soil moisture; species diversity; spring; Vegetation; Asia; Eurasia; China; China, People's Rep; Water; Seedling establishment; Primary productivity; Cold; Snow; Growth; Soil moisture; Germination; Plant ecology; Planting density; Depth; Seed germination; Rooting depth; Development; Desert; Rooting; Plant sciences; Plant density; Plant height

QUESTION: The ephemeral layer is an important component of the plant community in cold deserts. Conventional wisdom has it that the ephemeral layer primarily depends on early spring snowmelt water for germination and development. However, this hypothesis has never been subjected to rigorous testing....