Range Improvement As Related to Net Productivity, Energy Flow, And Foliage Configuration

Abstract

To maximize the conversion of the solar energy received by range vegetation into forms effectively used by domestic animals is an important objective of range managers. In annual-type California range improved by legume introduction and sulfur fertilization, the efficiency of the conversion of annual solar energy income over a three-year period averaged 0.09% by the vegetation and 0.004% by the stockers consuming the fed-off portion of the vegetation. Further study of the manner of display of the photosynthetic surfaces in range vegetation communities to incoming radiant energy will make it possible to identify foliage configurations that will maximize solar energy capture.