基于突变级数法的土地生态安全评价及其影响因素研究——以广西壮族自治区为例

[目的]分析影响土地生态安全状态变化的关键因素,为优化土地利用模式,落实广西壮族地区生态文明建设提供依据。[方法]在PSR模型的基础上结合"自然—经济—社会"和"人口—资源—环境—发展"框架构建了评价体系,运用突变级数法(CPM)揭示该区土地生态安全2005—2015年的总体变化趋势,并通过计算灰色关联度对不同阶段的影响因素进行甄别。[结果]2005—2009年广西地区土地生态安全水平呈快速上升趋势,达到较安全状态,主要归功于土地生态系统状态改善带来的积极作用;2010—2015年广西土地生态安全水平呈现先上升稳定后下降至临界状态,虽然生态系统压力水平的显著提升引起了土地生态安全水平的下降,但是生态系统响应状况呈逐年提高带来了正向的推动作用。灰色关联度结果显示,2005—2009年的生态安全水平变化主要是由于广西地区造林工程的积极推进带来的生境改善;2010—2012年的变化主要是社会经济水平提升和社会发展;2013—2015年的变化主要是由于人口增长以及人类活动对自然环境的响应。[结论]针对影响土地生态安全水平的主要限制因素,广西地区今后应更加注重转变经济增长方式,提升资源利用效率,控制工业污染排放和提升农业科技水平等各方面的工作。     

基于地理探测器的江西省万安县生态脆弱性时空演变及驱动力分析

[目的]对江西省万安县生态脆弱性近30a的脆弱性进行定量研究,为县级土地脆弱性定量评价提供借鉴方法,以此促进县级社会—经济—生态可持续发展。[方法]运用1987,1995和2015年3期遥感影像数据,在分析生态脆弱性概念与评价方法的基础上,依循"压力—状态—响应"评估框架,选取景观分维数、破碎度、优势度、景观适应度4个景观格局指数,以及人类活动干扰指数、植被覆盖度指数、地形指数、景观类型指数,从生态压力度、敏感度、恢复力3个方面出发运用熵权灰色关联法构建生态脆弱性评价模型,基于格网尺度对万安县生态脆弱性进行动态评价和分析。[结果]1987—2015年万安县生态脆弱性不断加剧,其中存在68.72%的样本区生态脆弱度指数增大。通过万安县生态脆弱性分布图和趋势图可知,全县生态脆弱度高值区域集中在中北部地区而低值区集中于南部和西北部。采用空间自相关分析法分析万安县土地生态脆弱性指数空间上的集聚特征和显著性,1987—2015年万安县土地生态脆弱性存在较高的空间自相关性,空间自相关性呈现上升趋势。运用地理探测器方法,表明万安县生态脆弱性主要驱动因素是乡镇人均纯收入、单位耕地面积化肥施用量和非农业人口比重。[结论]研究区生态环境严峻,亟需针对万安县资源、气候、地形、土壤等条件,合理规划用地,科学系统划分生态功能区。     

基于熵值法和灰色预测模型的耕地生态安全诊断

[目的]弥补已有耕地生态安全诊断中指标体系及评价方法的不足,分析耕地生态安全水平。[方法]在界定耕地生态安全内涵的基础上,构建了基于PSR模型的评价指标体系,采用熵值法和灰色预测模型,对四川省耕地生态安全水平进行了诊断。[结果]1999—2013年四川省耕地生态安全水平总体不断提高,耕地生态安全等级经历了"临界安全—较安全"的演变历程,但2013年"较安全"水平不高;压力指数总体上呈现下降趋势,状态指数呈现波动下降趋势,响应指数呈现上升趋势;单位耕地化肥负荷、人均耕地面积、单位耕地农药负荷、土地垦殖率、水土流失程度等是耕地生态安全等级提升的关键制约因素;2014—2018年四川省耕地生态安全水平呈现稳步上升趋势。[结论]基于PSR模型的评价指标体系能更准确地反映耕地生态安全各要素之间的关系;熵值法和灰色预测模型能有效挖掘耕地生态安全存在的问题,适合用于耕地生态安全评价。     

基于PSR模型的广西石漠化地区土地生态安全动态评价

[目的]对广西壮族自治区轻度及以上石漠化地区进行土地生态安全评价,为该区土地生态安全及其可持续发展提供科学参考。[方法]基于PSR模型构建了广西石漠化地区土地生态安全评价指标体系,采用熵权赋权法确定权重,运用生态安全综合模型,对研究区2005,2015年的土地生态安全综合指数进行计算。[结果]广西石漠化地区土地生态安全主导因素为人口密度、单位GDP综合耗能、土地垦殖率、耕地粮食单产、城市化水平、人口自然增长率等因素;压力指数、状态指数和响应指数共同决定广西石漠化地区土地生态安全评价的综合指数;从时间上看,2005—2015年广西石漠化地区土地生态安全经历了从临界安全等级向较安全等级的变化趋势,土地生态安全的状况主要因响应状态系统的提升,而使得综合土地生态安全指数有所上升。从空间上看,2005年贵港地区的土地生态安全等级处于不安全级,2015年南宁、贵港、来宾等地区的土地生态安全等级处于较不安全级。[结论]广西石漠化地区的土地生态安全略有上升,但受压力和状态子系统承载力水平的限制,研究区的土地生态安全仍处于中等水平,需要进一步加强土地生态安全建设。     

基于碳收支的三峡库区生态补偿分区及测度研究

[目的]揭示三峡库区碳收支的动态变化规律,划定碳收支的生态补偿分区,丰富生态补偿量化测度依据,完善生态补偿标准,进而为三峡库区相关部门制定生态补偿政策提供理论参考。[方法]以三峡库区26个区县为研究尺度,运用标准显性比较优势指数法、K-means聚类分析法和空间叠加分析等方法,基于三峡库区碳收支核算差异和库区地理位置,划分生态支付区和受偿区,测算了三峡库区生态补偿额度。[结果](1) 2010—2017年三峡库区碳收支量总体结果均为正值,呈现先下降后上升的“√”型波动上升趋势。(2)将三峡库区生态补偿分区重构为8种类型,分为4个一般受偿区、11个重点受偿区、10个一般支付区和1个重点支付区。(3) 2010年、2012年、2014年和2017年三峡库区生态补偿总额度为20.26亿元、16.74亿元、21.17亿元和25.20亿元,总体呈现上涨的趋势,其中生态补偿以区内补偿为主,区内补偿占比为80%以上。[结论] 2010—2017年三峡库区碳收支量均为正值且呈现上涨趋势,研究以碳收支为依据,结合全方位多角度因素构建生态补偿体系,实现生态补偿分区,为库区各区县的横向生态补偿提供量化依据,...     

基于BP神经网络的三峡库区重庆段水资源安全评价

三峡库区水资源安全关系到库区的生态安全,对库区水资源安全利用进行评价,找出问题较为严重的区域,明确其限制因子,从而为库区水资源可持续发展和水资源安全提供科学的决策依据。结合2000—2014年三峡库区水资源安全数据,选取BP神经网络构建水资源安全利用评价模型,结合ARIMA模型进行指标预测,分析了三峡库区重庆段水资源安全利用的时空差异。研究表明:(1)三峡库区重庆段2014年水资源安全利用总体分布在较不安全到较安全之间,渝中区和大渡口区为较不安全等级,沙坪坝区等7个区县为基本安全,其他区县为较安全等级;在子系统的评价中,主城区的社会安全与供需安全等级均为最低,为极不安全和较不安全等级。(2)2000—2014年水资源安全利用等级主要受生态安全因子制约,供需安全因子次之;2015—2020年水资源安全利用等级主要受供需安全因子限制,生态安全因子次之。2000—2020年水资源安全利用等级总体呈上升趋势。     

基于正态云模型的三峡库区土地利用生态风险评价

为有效解决三峡库区土地利用生态风险评价中因某些基础数据不能被准确获取或量化而造成的评价指标和评价结果中存在的模糊性和不确定性问题,引入了正态云综合评价模型。正态云模型既能直观地看出各评价指标的状态,也能客观地反映出各评价指标对整个三峡库区土地利用生态风险的影响。该文采用三峡库区2000年和2012年遥感数据、社会数据、经济数据以及环境监测数据,基于压力-状态-响应(pressure-state-response,PSR)模型构建评价指标体系,利用正态云模型对三峡库区土地利用生态风险进行评价。结果表明:三峡库区2000-2012年各区县平均土地利用生态风险等级均隶属于较低等风险级;其隶属度值由0.4233下降到0.4013,库区总体土地利用生态风险等级有逐年上升的趋势,并在空间上由东北到西南逐渐增加;库区6区县,含库腹4区县和库尾2区县,土地利用生态恶化突出,特别是重庆长寿区,值得重点关注。正态云模型实现了各评价因子向生态风险等级的不确定性映射,兼顾了评价因子量化与等级划分的随机性和模糊性,使评价结果更具客观性。该研究结果为三峡库区合理土地利用与生态保护政策的制定提供一定的借鉴参考。     

基于PSR模型的生态移民安置区土地利用系统健康评价——以红寺堡区为例

以我国最大的生态扶贫移民集中区——宁夏红寺堡区为研究对象,构建基于PSR模型的土地利用系统健康评价指标体系,综合运用熵权法、综合指数法、灰色关联度模型等方法对红寺堡安置区土地利用健康状况进行了评价。结果显示:2009—2015年红寺堡生态移民安置区土地利用系统健康评价指数呈现出逐年上升的变化趋势,由2009年的0.310 9增加到2015年的0.692 7,其健康等级由不健康上升至亚健康状态;研究期间土地利用系统压力指数变化比较稳定,状态指数和响应指数呈现上升趋势;各乡镇由于自然生态环境和社会经济发展水平存在较大差异,研究期间土地利用系统健康水平空间格局变化明显,且存在较大差异;人口自然增长率和人口土地负荷量以及城市绿地覆盖率、空气质量状况、城市污水处理率和垃圾无害化处理率以及环保投资额等指标与土地利用系统健康性评价综合指数的关联度较高,表明研究区土地利用健康状况与人口数量以及生态环境质量密不可分,因此在提高研究区土地利用效益和制定相关土地规划和政策时,应注重人口和生态对土地利用可持续发展的影响。     

甘肃省泾河流域2010-2019年农村生态环境质量分析及预测

[目的] 研究甘肃省泾河流域农村生态环境质量评价的相关问题，为农村生态环境保护和高质量发展研究提供参考。[方法] 基于压力—状态—响应（PSR）模型，构建了甘肃省泾河流域农村生态环境质量评价指标体系。运用熵值法和综合指数法对生态环境质量水平进行评价，并采用灰色GM （1，1）模型进行预测。[结果] 2010—2019年农村生态环境质量综合指数等级变化趋势为“劣等—差等—中等”，但总体呈现上升趋势，压力指数呈“Ⅴ”型波动变化，状态指数和响应指数逐年增长，说明环境治理的政策实施有效，预计到2021年将达到良好等级。[结论] 今后还需加大农村环保的资金和政策投入，改善各地环保制度措施，增强民众意识等。     

基于PSR-可拓云模型的湖南省怀化市农业生态安全评价

[目的] 对湖南省怀化市农业生态安全进行评价，为推动该市农业健康可持续发展提供科学支持。[方法] 基于PSR指标框架，构建了农业生态安全评价指标体系，通过合作博弈法确定了评价指标的组合权重，建立基于可拓云模型的农业生态安全评价模型，并以怀化市农业生态系统作为研究对象，综合评价该市2010—2019年农业生态安全状况。[结果] 2010—2019年期间，怀化市农业生态系统从“比较安全”状态向“安全”状态转化，安全等级有所上升，但是整体安全水平有待进一步提升。[结论] 为了进一步提升怀化市农业生态安全等级，必须减少单位GDP能耗，兴建农业水利设施，提升土地产出水平，增加农民收入，降低农村居民恩格尔系数。同时应优化农村生活环境，以促进怀化市农业生态系统健康安全可持续发展。     

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.