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The Growth and Development of Montane Species at Near‐Freezing Temperatures
Author(s) -
Kimball Steven L.,
Bennett Bryce D.,
Salisbury Frank B.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.144
H-Index - 294
eISSN - 1939-9170
pISSN - 0012-9658
DOI - 10.2307/1934386
Subject(s) - snow , snow cover , snowmelt , montane ecology , shoot , penetration (warfare) , botany , biology , ecology , environmental science , horticulture , geography , operations research , meteorology , engineering
Studies were conducted to determine species response to low—temperature environments. Apical development was found to progress at near—freezing temperatures throughout the winter except when the plants were encased in a solid soil—ice matrix. Claytonia lanceolata and Nemophila breviflora shoots developed above the soil surface, under snow cover. In both species, chlorophyll content was inversely proportional to depth of snow cover. Spectrophotometric analysis of light penetration through snow indicated about 10% penetration through shallow layers (ca. 3.5 cm), and 0.01% through layers of 69 cm. C. lanceolata, Orogenia linearifolia, and Erythronium grandiflorum plants developed complete floral structures during the winter months, these being protected by leaves or an apical sheath (Orogenia).