Plant species are adapted to specific levels of moisture to achieve establishment and sustained growth. Soil moisture has been characterized by three categories: Dry (D), Moist (M) and Wet (W). Some plants can tolerate a wide range of moisture regimes, whereas others perform optimally in a more narrow range of soil moisture conditions. Species soil moisture preferences denoted with a dash can tolerate a range of conditions. Species that prefer a specific level of soil moisture are described with one letter (D, M or W) or a combination of letters such as MD (mid-way between Moist and Dry) or WM (mid-way between Wet and Moist).
Plant species are adapted to specific levels of moisture to achieve establishment and sustained growth. Soil moisture has been characterized by three categories: dry (1), moist (2) and wet (3). Some plants can tolerate a wide range of moisture regimes, whereas others perform optimally in a more narrow range of soil moisture conditions. Species's rankings denoted with a dash can tolerate a range of conditions.