Design of rain shelters for studying water relations of rangeland shrubs

Abstract

A low-cost, fixed-place, subcanopy rain shelter was constructed to facilitate studying water relations of honey mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) growing in north Texas rangeland. This shelter, combined with a supplemental irrigation system and a barrier to contain lateral roots, permitted the study of moisture influences on transpiration, xylem pressure potential, and leaf temperature on large woody plants in the field.