开封市土地利用时空变化的生态系统服务价值评估

选取开封市1990-2010年四期土地利用的动态数据,采用Costanza、谢高地等提出的生态系统服务价值公式和系数,对开封市生态系统服务价值进行定量分析。结果表明:1990-2010年间生态系统服务价值从51.714 86亿元减至50.294 62亿元,生态系统服务价值年均变化率为0.137%,土地利用变化引起生态服务价值呈下降趋势,年均减少7.101 2万元。表明该市土地利用规划在取得经济效益的同时,却导致了土地生态效益的降低。因此,制定合理的土地利用规划,采取合理的土地利用方式,建立可持续的土地利用模式,从而在社会经济发展的同时提高土地利用的生态效益。     

基于生态服务价值核算的土地利用总体规划生态效益评价——以甘肃省民乐县为例

研究分析了民乐县1997²020年土地利用变化,并计算由此导致的生态系统服务价值变化。应用Costanza生态系统服务价值计算公式,参照谢高地等人制定的中国陆地生态系统单位面积生态服务价值表,估算了民乐县的生态系统服务价值,并以此为评价指标,对民乐县的土地利用总体规划进行了生态效益评价。结果表明:①从19972020年土地利用变化,并计算由此导致的生态系统服务价值变化。应用Costanza生态系统服务价值计算公式,参照谢高地等人制定的中国陆地生态系统单位面积生态服务价值表,估算了民乐县的生态系统服务价值,并以此为评价指标,对民乐县的土地利用总体规划进行了生态效益评价。结果表明:①从1997²020年,民乐县的生态系统服务价值从9.5075亿元增至10.7129亿元,区域生态系统服务价值呈增加趋势,林地的增加对于提高整个区域生态系统服务价值具有显著的作用;从生态环境保护和自然资源利用来看,表明此规划是合理的。②生态系统单项服务价值中,食物生产和废物处理服务功能的价值变幅较小,其余七项生态系统服务功能的价值全部持续增加,其中气体调节和水文调节增幅最大,原材料生产功能价值增加率最大。     

沧州渤海新区土地利用总体规划实施的生态效应评估

[目的]定量分析土地利用总体规划实施过程对生态环境的影响,预防或减轻规划实施过程中产生的不良环境影响.[方法]以河北省沧州市渤海新区为研究区,以土地利用规划数据和2009—2013年土地利用现状数据为基础,采用生态系统服务价值评估方法、敏感性指数、灰色预测模型,分析研究区2009—2013年土地利用及其生态系统服务价值的变化,预测2015和2020年生态系统服务价值,并与规划目标进行比较。[结果](1)2009—2013年,研究区建设用地增加量已经超过规划期建设用地的增加总量,生态系统服务价值减少了1.11×107元,说明规划实施过程中过于重视经济效益,而忽视了生态效益;(2)预测结果显示,到2020年生态系统服务价值减少7.08×10~7元,规划实施过程中,研究区生态系统服务功能在逐渐减弱。[结论]当地政府应高度重视规划实施过程中生态环境退化的问题,并采取积极有效的措施,促进经济建设与生态环境保护协调发展。     

长株潭地区生态系统服务价值分析及趋势预测

为促进区域土地资源的可持续利用和生态环境建设,该文以长株潭地区为研究对象,采用Costanza生态系统服务价值计算方法,参照修正后的长株潭地区生态系统单位面积生态服务价值系数,结合敏感性分析,探讨研究区域1996-2008年土地利用变化对生态系统服务价值的影响,并利用灰色模型对其发展趋势进行了预测分析。结果表明:研究期内,研究区域生态系统服务价值从1996年的405.03×108元减少到2008年的399.83×108元。同时根据预测出的研究区域2011-2020年各类土地利用数量情况,得到2020年区域生态系统服务价值将减少到392.61×108元,区域价值受损的主要原因是生态系统服务价值系数较高的农用地转为无生态价值的建设用地,研究区域快速城市化的进程已给生态安全带来了巨大压力。区域生态环境持续退化的趋势应当引起当地政府部门高度关注并采取有效对策,以科学推进资源节约型和环境友好型社会的建设。     

喀什市生态系统服务价值对土地利用变化的响应及预测

[目的]通过研究喀什市土地利用变化对生态系统服务价值的影响,为土地科学利用管理决策提供参考。[方法]参考Costanza(1997)和谢高地(2008)等人的研究成果,结合喀什市的实际情况,采用生态系统服务价值计算公式和敏感度分析,通过研究喀什市1997—2010年生态系统服务价值对土地利用变化的响应,并针对喀什市土地利用总体规划(2010—2020年)中土地利用类型的变化,对生态系统服务价值进行预测分析。[结果]按规划发展,1997—2020年,喀什市土地利用结构变化较大。土地利用程度呈加大趋势,生态系统服务总价值则逐年减少,其中耕地、水域的生态服务价值持续下降。敏感性指数分析表明,喀什市生态系统服务价值对生态服务价值系数是缺乏弹性的,研究结果可信。[结论]在喀什市土地利用总体规划实施过程中,应注重提升土地节约和集约利用水平,优化土地利用结构,保持生态系统的平衡和稳定。     

资源型城市土地利用变化对生态系统服务价值的影响——以安徽省淮南市为例

[目的]以安徽省淮南市为例,探讨资源型城市土地利用变化对生态系统服务价值的影响,为该市生态、经济、生态环境保护以及今后进行城市开发建设和农业发展提供科学参考。[方法]基于土地利用变化和生态系统服务价值评估的相关理论和方法,运用GIS软件,分析淮南市2000和2010年土地利用变化,并计算淮南市生态系统服务价值,研究土地利用变化对生态系统服务价值的影响。[结果]2000—2010年淮南市土地利用变化较大,主要土地类型以耕地、居民地及工矿用地和水域为主。土地利用结构发生变化,出现耕地、林地减少,水域、居民地及工矿用地、草地增加的现象。研究区生态系统服务价值总量呈减少的趋势,从2000年的11.72亿元减少到2010年的11.33亿元,减幅达3.33%。单位面积生态系统服务价值的分布变化也与研究区土地利用变化紧密相关,居民地及工矿用地的增加是造成生态系统服务价值减少的最主要原因。生态系统服务价值对生态价值系数的敏感性指数均小于1,说明研究区内的生态系统服务价值缺乏弹性,研究结果是可信的。[结论]淮南市应高度重视土地利用变化对生态系统服务价值的影响,优化调整土地利用结构,注重增加生态用地,稳步提升区域生态系统服务价值。     

基于土地利用变化的黄河三角洲生态服务价值损益分析

综合利用遥感和地理信息系统技术,对黄河三角洲1992－2005年间的土地利用变化进行解译判读,构建区域生态系统服务价值评价模型,对生态系统服务价值进行系统核算,量化土地利用变化对黄河三角洲生态系统服务价值的影响。结果表明：黄河三角洲区域生态系统服务价值在1992、1996、2001和2005年分别为48.75×108、49.75×108、58.18×108和 49.22×108元。滩涂地、灌草地和水域是生态系统服务价值构成中贡献最大的3种土地利用类型,占到总生态系统服务价值的80%以上。利用马尔柯夫过程对2010年的土地利用构成和生态系统服务价值进行预测,2010年区域生态系统服务价值将减少为47.77×108元。如果考虑海岸线蚀退的趋势,区域生态系统服务价值将会进一步减少。     

基于混合蛙跳算法的土地利用格局优化

针对传统的土地优化模型,如线性规划、非线性规划、灰色系统和景观生态学等不能实现土地数量结构和空间结构有效统一的问题,在研究现有智能优化模型,如粒子群算法、遗传算法的基础上,建立基于混合蛙跳算法的土地利用优化模型。该模型以30 m×30 m的地理栅格单元作为基本操作对象,实现土地利用的空间格局优化。以兰州市2014年土地利用格局为基础数据验证优化模型的有效性。在优化前各种地类所产生的生态系统服务价值为5.701×109元,优化后的生态系统服务价值为5.802×109元,优化前土地格局标准紧凑度为0.37,优化后为0.47。优化后牧草地面积增长了8 431 hm2,所提供的生态系统服务价值增长了1.71×108元,林地面积增加了1.453×105 hm2,提供的生态系统服务价值增加了2.49×108元。试验结果表明,该模型能利用青蛙的群体空间分布模拟土地利用空间格局,并能在多目标控制下找到问题的最优解,实现土地利用数量结构和空间结构的有效统一,模型具有较强的全局优化能力以及较快的收敛速度。     

商洛水源地土地利用总体规划环境影响评价

结合区域实际引入生态服务价值系数和敏感性指数进行验证,根据商洛水源地规划基年和规划目标年的土地利用变化,采用生态系统服务价值法评估商洛水源地土地利用总体规划(2006—2020)实施后生态系统服务功能总价值变化及其产生的环境影响。结果表明:在规划期内,未利用地和建设用地的动态度较大,分别为-3.07%,1.00%,方案实施后主要土地类型是林地和耕地;2005—2020年生态系统服务总价值呈增长趋势,2020年比2005年增加了101 428万元,其中林地和园地生态系统服务价值分别增加了119 575,89万元,耕地、牧草地、未利用土地和建设用地分别减少了6 416,235,9 389,2 196万元;各种生态服务功能价值除食物生产减少外,其余均呈增加趋势;规划期间各土地利用类型的敏感性指数均1,说明引用的生态系统服务价值系数可行。商洛水源地土地利用总体规划(2006—2020)方案实施后会产生良好的生态效益,未利用土地和耕地向建设用地转化以及86.59%林地对区域社会经济环境影响值得探讨。     

2000 ~ 2020年阿尔泰山土地利用与生态系统服务价值的动态变化

  目的  分析阿尔泰山不同生态功能区土地利用与生态系统服务价值的变化动态,探索引起变化的原因,为阿尔泰山区域土地利用格局的优化及生态保护与修复措施的制定提供理论依据。  方法  基于GlobeLand 30的遥感数据,结合土地利用转移矩阵、生态系统服务价值当量因子法,分析了2000 ~ 2020年间土地利用情况及生态系统服务价值的动态变化。  结果  ① 草地和林地是阿尔泰山的主要土地利用类型,占到研究区总面积的80% 以上,且近20年来,这两种土地利用类型面积增加明显,分别增加了1156.42 km2和827.26 km2。② 研究区内共有6715.91 km2土地利用类型发生了改变,其中转出面积最多的是裸地,为2962.41 km2,主要转为草地（85.9%）和林地（11.3%）;转入面积最多的是草地,为3676.91 km2,主要来自于裸地（贡献率69.2%）和林地（贡献率30.0%）。③ 与2000年相比,2020年研究区内生态系统服务价值增长了10.47%,其中草地和林地生态系统服务价值增加值最大,分别增加了18.52 × 108元和20.03 × 108元。④ 近20年来各生态功能区生态系统服务价值均呈增加趋势,其中高山冰川与泰加林景观保护亚区（25.77 × 108元）和生物多样性保护与矿区修复亚区（9.07 × 108元）增加最为明显。各生态功能区中,高山冰川与泰加林景观保护亚区单位面积生态系统服务价值最高,两河源水源涵养生态亚区最低。  结论  2000 ~ 2020年间,高山冰川与泰加林景观保护亚区及生物多样性保护与矿区修复亚区的生态系统服务价值的显著增加,促进了研究区内生态系统服务价值的增加,而林地和草地价值量的增加是引起两个生态功能区生态系统服务价值增加的主要原因。     

低氮和干旱胁迫对富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的影响

【目的】以富士（Fuji）、 秦冠（Qinguan）嫁接在平邑甜茶（Malus hupehensis Rehd.）上的当年生盆栽苗为试验材料,采用砂培方法,研究了缺氮胁迫和干旱对富士和秦冠生长情况、 光合参数、 植株各部位氮磷钾含量及氮素利用效率的影响,分析比较了低氮干旱条件下富士和秦冠生长及氮素利用的差异,以期为果树生产高效肥水利用提供理论指导。【方法】试验共设四个处理: 正常氮正常水（ZZ）、 低氮正常水（DZ）、 正常氮干旱（ZG）、 低氮干旱（DG）。氮素和水分均设置两个水平,分别为正常氮（6 mmol/L NO-3-N）、 低氮（0.3 mmol/LNO-3-N）、 正常供水（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的80%~85%）、 干旱处理（保持盆中砂子相对含水量为饱和含水量的60%~65%）。【结果】富士和秦冠的生物量（茎和叶）、 株高茎粗等生长指标以及光合速率、 气孔导度、 蒸腾速率均为正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）,并且相对应处理下秦冠的以上指标均高于富士;正常供水下,缺氮处理使富士、 秦冠的根冠比比正常氮处理均有所增加,富士提高了2.05%,秦冠提高了22.40%。富士和秦冠的氮、 磷、 钾含量均表现出正常氮正常水（ZZ）＞低氮正常水（DZ）＞正常氮干旱（ZG）＞低氮干旱（DG）; 氮、 钾元素含量在植株各部位的分布顺序依次是叶＞根＞茎,磷元素则是根＞叶＞茎;光合氮素利用效率（PNUE）和氮素利用效率表现为秦冠处理之间差异极显著,富士处理之间差异不显著;秦冠的PNUE和NUE明显高于富士,在低氮正常水（DZ）处理下,秦冠氮肥利用率比富士高42.07%,在低氮干旱（DG）处理下高64.14%;低氮胁迫下富士和秦冠的NUE显著提高,并且秦冠提高的幅度高于富士。【结论】施用氮肥能够显著提高富士与秦冠的干物质量,同等水肥条件下,秦冠生长优于富士;水分亏缺会减少叶片对氮的吸收,干旱条件下适度增施氮肥,可提高果树的抗旱能力;低氮干旱胁迫下秦冠的生长指标、 光合指标及氮素利用效率指标均优于富士,表现出较强的抗低氮干旱胁迫的能力。     

Pasture Vegetation Elemental Analysis by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a new technique for the analysis of plant material. This study investigates the application of LIBS to pasture-based plant samples. The LIBS measurements were obtained from pelletized pasture samples (100 samples) that had been also analyzed by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following microwave digestion for calibration and comparison purposes. Comparisons for elements sodium (Na), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), boron (B), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S) showed that LIBS could be used for almost all the standard profile total elements with concentrations down to low mg/kg levels (observed error of Na: 0.024 percent, K: 0.18 percent, Mg: 0.016 percent, Ca: 0.073 percent, P: 0.017 percent, Mn: 31 mg/kg, Fe: 150 mg/kg, Zn: 6.6 mg/kg, and B: 1.1 mg/kg). Elemental analysis at less than mg/kg levels was not possible using LIBS. The elements S and Cu were particularly difficult to analyze with reliability using LIBS at the concentration levels found in the plant samples. Replacing microwave digestion and subsequent ICP analysis with a direct analysis of dried plant samples using LIBS has the potential to improve the productivity and reduce the cost of testing.     

Faculty positions:Center for Agricultural Resources Research,Chinese Academy of Sciences

正The Center for Agricultural Resources Research(CARR),the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(IGDB),Chinese Academy of Sciences,invites applicants for several research group leader positions.CARR is one of the research organizations in Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS).We seek nominations and applications from individuals who have expertise and a record of accomplishment in research areas related to ecology,agro-hydrology,     

Macroinvertebrates in North American tallgrass prairie soils: effects of fire, mowing, and fertilization on density and biomass

The responses of tallgrass prairie plant communities and ecosystem processes to fire and grazing are well characterized. However, responses of invertebrate consumer groups, and particularly soil-dwelling organisms, to these disturbances are not well known. At Konza Prairie Biological Station, we sampled soil macroinvertebrates in 1994 and 1999 as part of a long-term experiment designed to examine the effects and interactions of annual fire, mowing, and fertilization (N and P) on prairie soil communities and processes. For nearly all taxa, in both years, responses were characterized by significant treatment interactions, but some general patterns were evident. Introduced European earthworms (Aporrectodea spp. and Octolasion spp.) were most abundant in plots where fire was excluded, and the proportion of the total earthworm community consisting of introduced earthworms was greater in unburned, unmowed, and fertilized plots. Nymphs of two Cicada genera were collected (Cicadetta spp. and Tibicen spp.). Cicadetta nymphs were more abundant in burned plots, but mowing reduced their abundance. Tibicen nymphs were collected almost exclusively from unburned plots. Treatment effects on herbivorous beetle larvae (Scarabaeidae, Elateridae, and Curculionidae) were variable, but nutrient additions (N or P) usually resulted in greater densities, whereas mowing usually resulted in lower densities. Our results suggest that departures from historical disturbance regimes (i.e. frequent fire and grazing) may render soils more susceptible to increased numbers of European earthworms, and that interactions between fire, aboveground biomass removal, and vegetation responses affect the structure and composition of invertebrate communities in tallgrass prairie soils.     

Assessing the effectiveness of conservation measures: Resolving the “wicked” problem of the Steller sea lion

“Wicked” problems are those that are complex and that change when solutions are applied. Many conflicts in conservation fall into this category. The study approached the problem of how to constrain the apparent wickedness of a problem in the conservation management of a species by using simple empirical indicators to carry out iterative assessment of the risk to a population and to document how this risk evolves in relation to the addition of new data and the implementation of management actions. Effects of high levels of uncertainty within data and also concerning population structure were examined through stochastic simulation and by exploration of scenarios. Historical trends in the example used, the Steller sea lion, showed rapid declines in abundance in some regions during the 1980s. The current total population is 130,000-150,000 Steller sea lions through Alaska and British Columbia and this number has been stable since about 1990 in spite of regional differences in population dynamics. Regional differences in the sequence of changes in the number of pups and non-pups, suggested that an internal re-distribution of juveniles could have happened between 1980 and 1990. Current productivity also appears close to the long-term mean. Stochastic population projection using various scenarios showed that, based upon this history, the risk of extinction for the population has declined and is below reasonable thresholds for considering the population to be endangered. The trends in risk suggest that management actions taken since 1990 have probably been effective. Consequently, the conservation management objectives for the Steller sea lion are probably being met. The approach provides a mechanism, based upon experience and scenario analysis, for exploring future policy options and may help to constrain the debate amongst stakeholders about the cost-benefit trade-offs associated with different options.     

Soil-profile distribution of primary and secondary plant-available nutrients under conventional and no tillage

Nutrient distributions under no tillage (NT) compared with conventional disk-and-bed tillage (CT) management in the warm, humid region of the southeastern USA need to be assessed so that future placement, quantity, and type of fertilizers can be altered, if necessary, to efficiently match crop demands. We determined soil-profile distributions of pH, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu to a depth of 0.9 m at the end of 8.5 years of continuous CT and NT management on a Weswood silty clay loam (fine, mixed, thermic Fluventic Ustochrept) in southcentral Texas. Most dramatic changes occurred within the 0–0.05 m depth, where soil under NT had lower pH, Fe, and Cu than under CT, but greater P, K, Zn, and Mn. Greater P and K under NT than under CT also occurred below the till-zone (0.15–0.3 m). At a depth of 0–0.3 m, soil under NT contained greater amounts of extractable P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu than under CT. Nitrogen fertilization had little effect on nutrient distributions, except resulting in greater extractable K at 0–0.05 m and greater nitrate at 0–0.15 m. Few changes in soil-profile distributions were observed for extractable S, Ca, Mg, and Na. Long-term continuous use of NT on this fine-textured, high-fertility (except for N) soil had no apparent adverse effects on nutrient distributions relative to CT, but enhanced conservation and availability of P, K, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu near the soil surface where crop roots proliferate.     

Variation in quality parameters between and within 14 Nordic tree fruit and berry species

Abstract

A 3-year study was carried out to investigate quality parameters in 14 tree fruit and berry species grown in southern Norway. The species were blueberry, apple, aronia, sour cherry, sweet cherry, red raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrant, gooseberry, red currant and elderberry, harvested along with wild bilberry, cloudberry and lingonberry. Significant differences between species were identified for all quality parameters. The coefficient of variation between species was lowest for pH (12.5%), dry matter (18.9%) and soluble solids (25.3%), followed by titratable acids (59.3%), total phenolics (83.8%), antioxidant capacity FRAP (85.7%) and antiradical power by the DPPH-assay (97.8%), total monomeric anthocyanins (132%) and ascorbic acid (137%). Average coefficient of variation within species were lower and ranged from 4 (pH) to 62% (ascorbic acid). Only the FRAP values were significantly affected by harvesting year with lower levels in 2004 than in 2005 and 2006. There were significant interactions between species and harvesting year for dry matter, soluble solids, pH, ascorbic acid and FRAP. The results indicate generic ranges in composition within species independent upon growing location and climate, and the composition of the tree fruits and berries is not likely to deviate from these ranges. It is concluded that desirable composition of tree fruits and berries and their products should primarily be achieved by selection among species rather than searching fors broadened variation within individual species.     

Potassium Fixation and Release Characteristics in Rhizosphere and Nonrhizosphere Soils for a Rapeseed–Rice Cropping Sequence

Potassium (K) fixation and release in soil are important factors in the long-term sustainability of a cropping system. Changes in K concentration and characteristics of K fixation and release in rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils in the rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)–rice (Oryza sativa L.) rotation were investigated using a rhizobox system. The concentrations of different forms of K in both rhizosphere and nonrhizosphere soils decreased with plants compared to without plants, regardless of K fertilizer application. Potassium uptake by crops mainly came from the rhizosphere soil. In the treatment without K fertilizer (–K), the main form of K supplied by the soil to the crops was 1.0 mol L^?1 nitric acid (HNO₃) nonextractable K, followed by nonexchangeable K, and then exchangeable K. In the treatment with K fertilizer (+K), the main K forms supplied by the soil to the crops were exchangeable K and nonexchangeable K. The amount and rate of K fixation after one cycle of the rapeseed–rice rotation was greater in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The amount and rate of K fixation of soil in the +K treatment were significantly less than in the –K treatment. The cumulative amounts of K released with 1.0 mol L^?1 ammonium acetate (NH₄OAc) and 1.0 mol L^?1 HNO₃ extraction increased with the increasing numbers of extractions, but the K-releasing power of soil by successive extraction decreased gradually and finally became almost constant. The release of K was less in rhizosphere soil than in nonrhizosphere soil. The release of K in the +K treatment was similar to that in the –K treatment in rhizosphere soil, but the K release in nonrhizosphere soil was greater with the +K than the –K treatment. Overall, the information obtained in this study will be helpful in formulating more precise K fertilizer recommendations for certain soils.     

Electron donor and pH relationships for biologically enhanced dissolution of chlorinated solvent DNAPL in groundwater

Biologically enhanced dissolution offers a method to speed removal of chlorinated solvent dense non-aqueous-phase liquid (DNAPL) sources such as tetrachloroethene (PCE) and trichoroethene (TCE) from aquifers. Bioremediation is accomplished by adding an electron donor to the source zone where fermentation to intermediates leading to acetic acid and hydrogen results. The hydrogen and possibly acetic acid are used by dehalogenating bacteria to convert PCE and TCE to ethene and hydrochloric acid. Reductive dehalogenation is thus an acid forming process, and sufficient alkalinity must be present to maintain a near neutral pH. The bicarbonate alkalinity required to maintain pH above 6.5 is a function of the electron donor: 800 mg/L of bicarbonate alkalinity is sufficient to achieve about 1.2 mM TCE dechlorination with glucose, 1.7 mM with lactate, and a much higher 3.3 mM with formate. Laboratory studies indicate that in mixed culture, formate can be used as an electron donor for complete conversion to ethene, contrary to pure cultures studies indicating it cannot. Various strategies can be used to add electron donor to an aquifer for DNAPL dehalogenation while minimizing pH problems and excessive electron donor usage, including use of injection-extraction wells, dual recirculation wells, and nested injection-extraction wells.     

Enhanced establishment and growth of giant cardon cactus in an eroded field in the Sonoran Desert using native legume trees as nurse plants aided by plant growth-promoting microorganisms and compost

To evaluate the feasibility of long-term desert reforestation technology of mixed vegetation, cardon cactus (Pachycereus pringlei) seedlings from indoor and outdoor nurseries were planted in the field adjacent to one seedling of potential legume nurse trees: mesquite amargo (Prosopis articulata), yellow palo verde (Parkinsonia microphylla), and blue palo verde (Parkinsonia florida). Some of the planting holes were also supplemented with common dairy compost. Additionally, the combinations of legume tree–cactus were inoculated with either a consortium of desert arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB; the diazotroph Azospirillum brasilense Cd, and the phosphate solubilizer Paenibacillus sp.), or a mixture of all. The field experiments were evaluated periodically during 30 months for survival and growth. Cardons reared in an outdoor screen house survived better in the field than those reared in a controlled growth chamber and hardened later outdoors. Association with any legume nurse tree increased survival and enhanced growth of untreated cardons. For cardons growing alone, application of either compost, AM fungi, and all the treatments combined increased survival. For these plants, no treatment affected plant growth during the first 3 months after transplanting. Later, all treatments, except for AM fungi, enhanced plant growth. However, only 2 years after transplanting the enhanced growth effect of AM fungi was also significant. In the presence of the legume nurse trees, transient positive effects on cardon growth were recorded. General evaluation after 30 months of cultivation showed that the treatments positively affected cardon growth when growing alone or in combination only with mesquite amargo but not with the other two legume trees. This study proposes that young legume trees have the capacity to enhance survival and growth of cardon cactus, depending on the legume cactus combination. Additional treatments such as compost or PGPB can either amplify the effect or else attenuate it.