Abstract
The determination of phytomass and the assessment of actual and potential primary production of a natural ecosystem has become an important part of modern ecological research. In order to understand the functioning of an ecosystem, to analyse it, and to build valid models (see van Keulen et al., this volume Part 6:B), exact phytomass and production data must be available. This general aim, however, is difficult to approach, since phytomass and primary production are not constant values (see Lieth, this volume Part 6: A). Even for the same habitat they depend upon the total environmental conditions which are changing from year to year. Therefore, the fluctuations of phytomass and production and their relation to the environmental parameters need to be considered. This problem may be of minor importance for ecosystems living in humid environments. It is of great significance, however, in arid and semi-arid areas, where the main factor limiting phytomass and production is the availability of water. It is precisely this factor which in these regions fluctuates to a very large degree from year to year.
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Evenari, M., Schulze, ED., Lange, O.L., Kappen, L., Buschbom, U. (1976). Plant Production in Arid and Semi-Arid Areas. In: Lange, O.L., Kappen, L., Schulze, ED. (eds) Water and Plant Life. Ecological Studies, vol 19. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-66429-8_27
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-66429-8_27
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