SPRING AND SUMMER DAILY SUBSURFACE TEMPERATURES IN 3 MICROHABITATS INA FLAT NATURAL LOESS AREA IN THE NEGEV DESERT, ISRAEL

In this study soil temperatures were measured 1 mm below the soil surf ace by microsensors in three locations on the matrix and in depression s on a natural area near a flat loess of Sede Boker in the Negev and r ecorded daily every 10 min. In this area many seeds of desert annual's seed banks germinate on or close to the soil surface. Temperatures ov er 2 days in the spring, one with rain, were compared with 2 hot days during a 'hamsin' at the beginning of summer. Temperatures in these mi crohabitats may affect the spread of germination over time according t o seed location during storage and germination. (C) 1997 Academic Pres s Limited.