Table 4.

Characteristics of a eucalypt displacement series from wetter to drier environments (Pate and McComb 1981).

Characteristic altered as environment dries

  • Greater root:shoot ratio

  • Increasing root:shoot ratio in response to water stress

  • Slower stomatal response to decreasing xylem water potential

  • Slower decline in leaf turgidity with increased water stress

  • Lower rate of transpiration in wetter soils