Water regime in soils and plants along an aridity gradient in central Baja California, Mexico

The Central Desert of Baja California has pronounced climatic gradients. Water storage in the upper metre of soil and leaf water potentials in Larrea tridentata, Simmondsia chinensis and Fouquieria columnaris were monitored during 28 months at six sites. Estimated annual evapotranspiration was 75-150 mm in sandy loams, and 45-60 mm in sandy soils. Cumulative recharge accounted for 80% of precipitation in loams, but only 50% in sands. During the study period, increased aridity was expressed as longer periods of drought, but there was no less recharge. Weak to moderate relationships were found between soil water content and predawn leaf water potential.