The extent of recovery of Ephedra californica following clipping in a California Desert Ecosystem

In 2014 at the end of the winter growing season, a total of 20 individual E. californica shrubs were clipped to the ground and all abo- veground biomass including litter was removed. Similar to the regional survey of shrubs, the diameter in longest and perpendicular axes was measured in addition to height prior to clipping. In December of 2016 after first rains, these individual shrubs were censused for regrowth. The volumetric size dimensions were recorded in the field, and the total number of basal shoots was also counted and classified as resprouted shoots (Cornelissen et al., 2003). The shrubs were then clipped anew, to the ground. All aboveground biomass was retained in this instance and weighed wet then dried for 4hrs and reweighed. All primary and secondary singleton shoots were counted and processed independently for every shrub.