Abstract
One of the central goals of plant ecology is to understand the factors that control the local
distribution of plant species and thus the composition of communities. The aim of this study is to
determine plant functional traits that can be associated with drought tolerance/avoidance and to
test whether wood density is a good indicator of drought tolerance. The study was carried out in
Kruger National Park in the month of June. A number of plant traits including wood density, leaf
thickness, leaf life sp~n/longevity and water potential were measured along a rainfall gradient
(from south to north of the park). Wood density and water potential did not show any significant
differences between the wet and dry sites. Leaf thickness and percent leaf cover showed
significant correlations with the rainfall gradien~nd 0.02 respectively). Wood density
may not be the single most important factor th~ fitness during drought. Tolerance in
plants may come about as a result of the interplay between plant traits and site characteristics that
may result in the differential response even in plants that may be deemed drought tolerant.
Shabane, T (2021). Plant traits and drought tolerance in the Savanna: A Kruger National Park case study. Afribary. Retrieved from https://afribary.com/works/plant-traits-and-drought-tolerance-in-the-savanna-a-kruger-national-park-case-study
Shabane, Tirelo "Plant traits and drought tolerance in the Savanna: A Kruger National Park case study" Afribary. Afribary, 15 May. 2021, https://afribary.com/works/plant-traits-and-drought-tolerance-in-the-savanna-a-kruger-national-park-case-study. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
Shabane, Tirelo . "Plant traits and drought tolerance in the Savanna: A Kruger National Park case study". Afribary, Afribary, 15 May. 2021. Web. 21 Nov. 2024. < https://afribary.com/works/plant-traits-and-drought-tolerance-in-the-savanna-a-kruger-national-park-case-study >.
Shabane, Tirelo . "Plant traits and drought tolerance in the Savanna: A Kruger National Park case study" Afribary (2021). Accessed November 21, 2024. https://afribary.com/works/plant-traits-and-drought-tolerance-in-the-savanna-a-kruger-national-park-case-study