Nurse plant
For example, in the Sonoran Desert, nurse plants canopies provide reduced summer daytime temperatures, soil surface temperatures, and direct sunlight, higher soil fertility, protection from the wind and browsing animals, reduced evapotranspiration rates in the nursed species, elevated nighttime temperatures, and post-fire resprouting in some species...[2][3] This means that nurse plants provide a positive interaction between themselves and the organisms they protect, and are often crucial in maintaining biodiversity in water-scarce environments.
[4][5] It has been suggested that the assistance provided by nurse plants can enhance the performance of stress intolerant species on green roofs.
"Soil properties under nurse plants were always better than outside them, which are in concordance with the generalized existence of fertility islands in high mountains"[12] Palo Verde (Cercidium spp.
), and ironwood (Olneya tesota) trees all provide positive interactions among other plants species like facilitating seedling survival and germination.
[9] But the study by Holland et al.,[9] found that "there was not a significant main factor effect of nurse plants on the germination and seedling recruitment of senita cacti."
[13] Ironwood tree canopies have provided facilitative effects on plant species richness and abundance in xeric sites in the Sonoran Desert.
[citation needed] The ironwood was often the only tree growing in xeric areas and their canopies had the largest effect on plant community structure and richness even when water stress was high.
[citation needed] An example of a nurse plant would be the Palo Verde tree (C. microphyllum), found in the Sonoran Desert, that may have saguaro cacti underneath its canopy.
[citation needed] Larrea tridentata, commonly known as creosotebush, exhibits characteristics of a nurse plant by facilitating the establishment and growth of other species in harsh desert environments.
Its dense canopy provides shade and shelter, creating a microclimate that reduces temperature extremes and moisture loss, thus promoting the survival of seedlings and young plants.
[16] Overall, the presence of creosotebushes enhances biodiversity and ecosystem resilience in arid regions, underscoring their significance as nurse plants.
As a member of the Lamiaceae family, this shrubby species, typically ranging from 20 to 35 cm in height, creates an optimal microenvironment for young pines to thrive.
Its shallow root system minimizes competition with developing seedlings, ensuring their access to vital nutrients and water.
Additionally, its modest stature enables the pine trees to outgrow it over time, making it an advantageous companion during the initial stages of reforestation efforts.
Some research underscores Prosopis' role in improving challenging environmental conditions, particularly in areas characterized by low forage quality and water scarcity.
[18] Noteworthy increases in cladode production and higher levels of key nutrients, such as moisture, organic matter, and potassium, underscore the facilitative effects of Prosopis on the growth and nutritional quality of associated plant species.
Furthermore, the observed mitigation of frost damage beneath the Prosopis canopy highlights its additional protective function, further solidifying its status as a beneficial nurse plant in arid landscapes.
