Comparison of foliar composition of eucalyptus globulus and quercus agrifolia growing together

Foliage of each species was sampled at 26 paired locations in the San Francisco Bay area. Eucalyptus globulus had significantly higher concentrations of Mn, Ca and Na, but significantly lower concentrations of Cu, Fe, Zn, P, NO₃‐N and Kjeldahl‐N than did Quercus agrifolia. Concentrations of K and Mg did not differ between species. The relative concentration series for the species were similar: N>Ca>K>Mg>Na>P>Mn>Fe for Q. agrifolia and Ca>N>K> Mg>Na>Mn>P>Fe for E. globulus. Correlations between species were statistically significant for concentrations of Fe and Ca only. Thus, for these elements analysis of one species could be used as an indicator of the other.