INVESTIGATION OF THE WATER RELATIONS OF OSTRYA CARPINIFOLIA AND SOME OTHER TREES AND SHRUBS IN THE SURROUNDJNGS OF RIJEKA.
This paper presents the results of investigations of transpiration (Tr) and water saturation deficit (Dw) of some tree and shrub species in the decidous region of the Croatian Coast in wider surroundings of Rijeka. Leaves of deciduous shrub species in Carpinetum orientalis and Seslerio-Fagetum usually transpired more than leaves of investigated tree species. Among tree species in the association Carpinetum orientalis, Ostrya carpinifolia, and Carpinus orientalis had the lowest Tr-Values and the smallest daily and seasonal amplitudes as well as low water deficit and narrow amplitude at the same time. On the opposite, Fraxinus ornus transpired much more intensively in convenient conditions, while it decreased transpiration very much with more severe drought and at the same time had a considerably increased water deficit, showing a high amplitude during the vegetational season. Consequently, Fraxinus ornus was more similar to the shrub species than to the investigated decidous tree species.
