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The Salt Lake Valley is similar to other semi-arid, urbanized regions of the western USA, in that urbanization of these regions has been associated with an increase in the amount and type of vegetation present. Because irrigation practices allow for the development of vegetation that would not normally persist in these regions, urban forest development has occurred across relatively large land areas that were once grasslands and shrublands (Figure 1). Despite the fact that urban forests of semi-arid regions are unusual because they are comprised almost entirely of non-native species subject to environmental conditions markedly different from those associated with their native habitats, very little is known regarding the physiological ecoogy of these forested areas. Our research has focused on understanding differential species sensitivity to environmental factors known to influence rates of transpiration including atmospheric humidity and soil moisture conditions.
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Figure 1. The Salt Lake Valley urban forest. |
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