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ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES in rocky mountain coniferous ...

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frosts apparently caused considerable mortality to planted stock and natural regenera-<br />

tion at the Wyom<strong>in</strong>g site, and the potential exists at Lubrecht and <strong>in</strong> certa<strong>in</strong> localities<br />

at Coram.<br />

Temperature <strong>in</strong>fluences moisture balances <strong>in</strong> several ways. Surface temperatures<br />

<strong>in</strong>fl uence ai r temperature gradients, and these i nfl uence vapor pressure gradients.<br />

As <strong>in</strong>dicated earlier, the vapor pressure gradients between the atmosphere and leaf<br />

affect transpiration rates and consequently the <strong>in</strong>ternal water status of plants. As<br />

previously mentioned, cooler soi 1 temperatures <strong>in</strong>crease the viscosity of water,<br />

thereby, <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g the resistance to flow <strong>in</strong> the roots, which also affects the<br />

<strong>in</strong>ternal water status of plants. Temperatures, therefore, are <strong>in</strong>fluential <strong>in</strong> control-<br />

1 <strong>in</strong>g water stress under some circumstances.<br />

Temperature regimes also <strong>in</strong>fluence microorganisms <strong>in</strong> the soil and elsewhere.<br />

Mycorrhizal activity, which enhances water and nutrient uptake, is temperature<br />

related. As Harvey (1980) mentions, sites of mycorrhizal activity shift dur<strong>in</strong>g the<br />

year as a result of temperature and moisture factors. Jurgensen (1980) and Stark<br />

(1980) discuss the relationship between temperature and nutrient cycl<strong>in</strong>g and nitrogen<br />

production.<br />

Fungal activity, important <strong>in</strong> decompos<strong>in</strong>g residue material, also is temperature<br />

and moisture dependent. Cool temperatures sugpress activity and high temperatures<br />

are lethal to it. Residue temperatures of 60 C or less are lethal to some fungi<br />

(table 7) and stop activity by other species. High heat loads also evaporate moisture<br />

and create moisture streses, although fungi can survive and grow under more severe<br />

moisture stresses than most plants. Vegetative growth and spore germ<strong>in</strong>ation are<br />

critical to the life cycle of fungi active <strong>in</strong> decay (Larsen 1980). Manipulat<strong>in</strong>g<br />

residue temperature and moisture regimes could <strong>in</strong>crease decay rates.<br />

Fungi that cause disease also are temperature and moisture sensitive. Harvest<strong>in</strong>g<br />

activities that alter these factors on various microsites are likely to affect<br />

diseases such as root rots and possibly some canker and foliage diseases.<br />

Tab1 e 7. --Lethal temperatures for mycel ia of several species of wood <strong>in</strong>habit<strong>in</strong>g<br />

fungi.<br />

Species Temperature<br />

Armillariq mellea 65'~<br />

Fomes appl anatus 65'~<br />

Lent<strong>in</strong>us lepideus (moist)<br />

(dry<br />

Merul i us 1 acrymans 50-55'~<br />

Fomes p<strong>in</strong>i 65-75'~

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