黄河三角洲植被演替过程种群生态位变化研究

对黄河三角洲天然湿地陆生植被和水生植被两种演替序列的种群生态位宽度和生态位重叠进行了调查研究。结果表明: 陆生植被经过翅碱蓬群落、碱蓬柽柳群落、柽柳群落、白茅群落的演替过程, 每个阶段优势种的生态位宽度都较大。翅碱蓬群落阶段优势种翅碱蓬的生态位宽度达9.99, 碱蓬柽柳群落阶段碱蓬的生态位宽度为9.72, 柽柳群落阶段柽柳的生态位宽度为9.20, 白茅群落阶段白茅的生态位宽度为9.31。水生植被的演替序列为眼子菜金鱼藻群落(沉水植物)阶段、浮萍水鳖群落(浮水植物)阶段、芦苇水烛群落(挺水植物)阶段和杞柳芦苇群落(湿生植物)阶段, 沉水植物阶段优势种眼子菜的生态位宽度为8.62, 浮水植物阶段优势种浮萍生态位宽度为9.23, 挺水植物阶段优势种芦苇的生态位宽度为8.59, 湿生植物阶段优势种杞柳生态位宽度为7.45。生态位宽度计测结果较好地对应着各种群在群落中的地位和作用, 生态位宽度在演替系列中的动态也较好地反映了种群在群落演替过程的数量动态。各演替阶段生态位重叠计算结果表明, 各阶段种群间的生态位重叠值低, 每一阶段内种群间有较高的生态位重叠     

黄河三角洲退化湿地土壤养分、微生物与土壤酶特性及其关系分析

为了揭示黄河三角洲湿地退化与土壤的关系,为湿地生态修复和有效利用湿地资源提供理论依据,对黄河三角洲退化湿地不同演替阶段的土壤酶活性、土壤养分和土壤微生物特性及土壤酶与养分和微生物的关系进行分析。结果表明:随着湿地由白茅群落到光板地的逆向演替,土壤脲酶、蛋白酶活性呈逐渐下降趋势,碱性磷酸酶和过氧化氢酶活性变化规律与其相似;不同演替阶段土壤酶活性表现出差异性,各种酶之间蛋白酶活性最高;土壤养分质量含量基本都随着湿地逆向演替的进行而递减,不同演替阶段土壤养分质量分数差异显著;退化湿地土壤中各种微生物数量存在明显差异性,在土壤微生物群落中,细菌数量所占比例最大,在各类微生物中占绝对优势,其次为放线菌,真菌数量最少;白茅群落阶段细菌和真菌数量最多,柽柳群落阶段放线菌数量最多;土壤酶与土壤养分、土壤微生物存在密切正相关关系;细菌与脲酶和过氧化氢酶有密切关系,真菌与脲酶、过氧化氢酶和碱性磷酸酶都具有显著的相关性。     

黄河三角洲盐生植被演替与土壤细菌群落结构的关系

研究黄河三角洲光板地和4种盐生植被(翅碱蓬、獐茅、白茅和罗布麻)下土壤细菌群落组成,揭示其与盐生植被演替的关系。利用细菌16S r DNA基因文库方法,构建系统发育树,在5个文库中各挑选180个阳性克隆子进行序列测定,并对数据进行统计分析。从光板地、翅碱蓬、獐茅、白茅和罗布麻5个文库中分别得到121、132、150、159、155条有效序列。重盐土壤(翅碱蓬土壤、獐茅土壤)细菌有着最高的Shannon指数和最低的Simpson优势度指数。土壤中检测到变形菌门(Proteobacteria)、拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes)、酸杆菌门(Acidobacteria)等,共8门。其中变形菌门在5种土样中相对丰度为21.06%,拟杆菌门为11.16%,其他细菌相对丰度皆未超过10%。5种覆被类型下土壤细菌在种群组成上差异明显,但均匀度与丰富度差异较小,变形菌为所研究5种土壤中的优势菌群。当盐生植被处于相同演替阶段时,土壤细菌群落结构具有更大相似性;在不同演替阶段时,土壤细菌群落结构差别较大。     

天津市填海造陆区自然植被演替特征及其影响因素

[目的] 探究天津市填海造陆区自然演替特征和影响因素,为填海造陆区生态恢复与重建提供科学依据。[方法] 以天津市不同时期填海造陆区为研究对象,采取野外调查采样、实验室测定与双向指示种分析法(TWINSPAN)、除趋势典范对应分析(detrended correspondence analysis,DCA)、典范对应分析(canonical correspondence analysis,CCA)等分析方法,分析天津市填海造陆区植物群落类型、演替模式和影响因素。[结果] ①天津市填海造陆区自然植被演替序列为：盐地碱蓬群落→芦苇—盐地碱蓬群落→獐毛群落→芦苇群落→柽柳—鹅绒藤群落。随着演替的进行,土壤含盐量逐渐降低,植物种类逐渐增加。②土壤全盐含量、离市区二级道路的距离和离15 m等深线的距离在不同演替阶段间存在显著差异,是天津市填海造陆区自然植被演替的主要影响因子。[结论] 天津市填海造陆区的植被演替受自然和人为因子的共同作用,科学调控环境因子(如土壤全盐含量)可为填海造区植被恢复提供有利环境条件。     

基于高通量测序技术研究土壤细菌对盐生植被演替的响应

采用高通量测序技术探究黄河三角洲光板地和4种盐生植被(翅碱蓬、獐茅、白茅和罗布麻)下土壤细菌群落结构及分布特征,以期揭示其与盐生植被演替的关系。5个土壤样本共获得31976条有效序列,分类得到27门、62纲、78目、196科、569属的细菌。变形菌门是盐生植被样地的优势门,相对丰度为36.4~53.2%;而拟杆菌门是光板地的优势门,相对丰度为46.2%。随盐生植被正向演替,土壤质量和细菌群落多样性和丰富度有不断升高的趋势,且OTU数、ACE指数和Shannon指数与土壤有机碳呈显著正相关。RDA分析显示,獐茅和白茅土壤细菌组成相近,其余样地细菌组成差异较大。随着盐生植被正向演替,影响土壤细菌群落的主导理化因素由电导率逐渐转为有机碳、活性有机碳和碱解氮。     

河北省滨海盐碱地土壤与盐生植物养分特征的研究

对滨海盐碱地土壤和植物样品分析结果表明,生长不同盐生植物的土壤含盐量不同,以生长白刺(Nitraria sibirica Pall.)的土壤含盐量最高,达18.5 g/kg,盐地碱蓬(Suaeda salsa L.Pall.)次之,柽柳的最低。盐生植物的生长改变了土壤养分特征,4种生长盐生植物的土壤养分含量均高于光板地,土壤有机质含量增加44％以上,生长木本盐生植物白刺、柽柳(Tamarix chinensis Lour.)的土壤养分含量高于生长草本盐生植物碱蓬、碱茅(Puccinellia distans Jacq.Parl.)的土壤,且不同盐生植物养分特征不同,白刺、柽柳N和P含量均高于盐地碱蓬、碱茅,K含量则与植物耐盐特性有关。     

不同退化阶段松嫩草地土壤对羊草种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响

在环境条件和人为因素的双重影响下,松嫩羊草草地发生了不同程度的退化演替。种子萌发和幼苗生长是植物生长和定植的关键生育期。为了明确不同退化草地土壤对羊草种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响,选取羊草(Leymus chinensis)群落、碱茅(Puccinellia distans)群落、虎尾草(Chloris virgata)群落和碱蓬(Suaeda glauca)群落作为4个草地退化演替阶段,研究了不同退化演替阶段的土壤对羊草种子萌发和幼苗生长特性的影响,探讨了不同退化阶段土壤理化性质与羊草种子萌发和幼苗生长的关系。结果表明:随着植被群落从羊草群落到虎尾草群落的退化演替进行,土壤p H值和电导率逐渐升高后趋于稳定,土壤碱化度越来越高,碱蓬群落土壤碱化度显著高于羊草群落;草地退化导致土壤养分含量逐渐减少,碱蓬群落土壤速效氮含量显著低于羊草群落。羊草种子在羊草群落土壤中的发芽率最高,随着土壤退化程度的加剧,羊草种子发芽率显著降低,羊草幼苗生长受到的抑制作用增强,退化土壤对羊草幼苗根长的生长抑制要比对幼苗苗长生长的抑制强。表明在一定程度上,羊草草地退化伴随着土壤盐碱化的发展,且随着土壤退化程度加剧,羊草萌发成苗受到的抑制作用越来越大。     

辽河口翅碱蓬湿地退化区土壤理化性质及生态阈值分析

为了研究不同退化程度下辽河口翅碱蓬湿地土壤理化性质的变化趋势及特征,找到翅碱蓬生长最适土壤环境指标的生态阈值,为辽河口区翅碱蓬湿地土壤生境保护和植被恢复提供参考,本研究以辽河口区翅碱蓬湿地为研究对象,在翅碱蓬湿地退化分区基础上,采用土壤理化性质实验法分析不同类型退化区土壤理化指标的变化趋势及特征,运用高斯模型测算翅碱蓬适宜环境的土壤因素生态阈值。结果表明:随着退化程度的增加,土壤含水量和有机质含量大致呈降低趋势。土壤砂粒含量逐渐增加,黏粒含量逐渐降低,土壤机械组成向粗大颗粒转化;土壤全盐含量呈大致增加的趋势;地表植被覆被逐渐减少,表层土壤受风和河水的侵蚀而流失,土壤中的碱解氮、有效磷、速效钾等营养元素也随之流失,土壤性状逐渐趋于恶化。在不同类型退化区内,土壤可溶性盐基阳离子含量特征均表现为Na+ > Ca2+ > K+ > Mg2+,土壤可溶性盐基阳离子以Na+为主;研究区土壤pH介于8.26 ~ 8.76之间,呈碱性。通过高斯模型测算出翅碱蓬生长最适土壤全盐含量的生态阈值为11.56 g kg?1,最适生态阈值区间为8.734 ~ 14.386 g kg?1,一般生态阈值区间为5.908 ~ 17.662 g kg?1;翅碱蓬生长最适土壤含水量生态阈值为47.5%,最适生态阈值区间为31.8% ~ 63.2%,一般生态阈值区间为16.1% ~ 78.9%。不同类型退化区由于水盐条件的差异对翅碱蓬生长的适宜程度不同,但可以通过灌溉水源、建立良好的灌排水系统等水盐调控方式,因地制宜,为湿地翅碱蓬生长提供理论和方法指导。     

杭锦旗穿沙公路周边植被群落特征与多样性研究

采取路线考察和典型样地调查方法对内蒙古自治区杭锦旗穿沙公路段周边区域的植被群落进行了研究,分析了不同植被群落特征和物种多样性.结果表明,该区域共有16种植被群落,植物37种,分别隶属于14科30属.主要由沙地植物、盐碱化植物和低湿地植物组成.草灌类群落占优势地位,黑沙蒿等群落有较高优势度,但是在演替中处于退化趋势.沙柳、沙棘、柽柳等灌木群落虽然频度较低,但是优势度较高,说明在演替中处于进化趋势.     

滨海湿地土壤盐离子对植物群落的响应研究

对黄河三角洲柽柳、碱蓬、芦苇、棉田4种群落土壤剖面可溶性盐离子差异进行了分析,结果表明:(1)土壤全盐在0~10cm土层含量大小表现为柽柳碱蓬芦苇棉田,在20cm以下土壤全盐含量为碱蓬柽柳芦苇棉田,这与碱蓬对Na~+、Cl~-吸收能力较强有关。(2)变异分析反映了阳离子、阴离子含量受不同植被类型的影响,柽柳群落以Mg~(2+)的变异系数最大,碱蓬群落以CO_3~(2-)的变异系数最大,芦苇群落以SO_4~(2-)的变异系数最大,棉田群落以Cl~-的变异系数最大。(3)Cl~-、K~+、Mg~(2+)、Na~+与土壤中全盐的含量呈显著性相关,且Cl~-与土壤全盐呈显著线性关系,能作为反映土壤全盐变化的重要指标。     

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.