Leaf and Root Trait Responses to Moderate and Severe Drought in Greenhouse‑grown Restoration Species

We assessed leaf and root morphological traits of seven species commonly used in restoration across the southwestern United States. Plants were grown in greenhouse conditions for four weeks followed by three weeks of growth under the following treatment conditions: control (adequate watering), moderate drought (12% soil volumetric water content), and severe drought (no water). Functional traits and biomass production measures were taken on all individuals after four weeks of growth under standard (i.e., well-watered) conditions and three weeks of treatment conditions. The traits measured include: specific leaf area (m2 g-1), leaf dry matter content (g g-1), specific root length (m g-1), average root diameter (mm), root dry matter content (g g-1), root tissue density (g cm-3), and root mass fraction (g g-1). In addition, aboveground and belowground biomass (g) of plants was measured.