A Comparison of Rates of Water Loss through Transpiration of Several Southern New Mexico Phreatophyte Species

This report describes the development and use of a method of estimating transpiration water use by riparian plant communities. The method involves the development and use of mathematical models to predict transpiration rates on a leaf area basis from environmental data. These models were used in conjunction with leaf area estimates for a study stand to evaluate transpirational water use. The results indicate that differences exist among species. Species which are found in less disturbed stands tend to be much more conservative in their transpirational water use.

Project Nos. B-021, B-027-NMEX