Resilience - Build Your Community.

Resilient plant communities tend to be full of diverse, but compatible and complementary members

of plants and other interconnected organisms who share a common environment.

Plant Science Concept:

Groups of plant species interacting with each other, with other non-plant organisms, and which share a common environment are described as “plant communities”. These groups defined based on their physical appearance (“physiogony”) are so named for the dominant plant species in the community (for example, a coniferous forest or desert grassland). Plant communities defined based on their shared adaptation to environmental conditions (“ecological groups”) feature the complementary functions of group members. When members are well matched, there will be a interconnections resulting in a net gain in support for individual members as well as a boost in strength and resilience for the community as a whole.  Some symbiotic (mutualism or commensalism) relationships between individuals contribute toward positive gain in the health and function of the community while parasitism detracts from community resilience.

Some examples of the net-positive gain in community function and resilience as a result of complementary group members follow…In the Sonoran desert, trees in the bean family (Fabaceae) such as palo verde, mesquite, and ironwood serve the need of small saguaro seedlings by shading them. Their deep root systems pull water closer to the surface where saguaro roots can drink up. Saguaro, in turn provide nectar to bat and moth pollinators as well as food for insects who then distribute or plant the saguaro seed. Members of the bean family also form symbiotic relationships with soil microbes called “rhizobia” which obtain nutrients from the plant while providing nitrogen for the plant and other nitrogen-feeding organisms in the community. There is alignment and synergy in their interactions and the community is strengthened.

Horticultural Applications:

Select combinations of plants that complement each other. In this garden, we chose many plants from the bean family for their ability to provide nitrogen fertilizer to the soil. Since nitrogen is the most limiting nutrient for plant growth, (because nitrogen is necessary for making protein, and chlorophyll) nitrogen-fed plants function better. Further, self-feeding plants like legumes reduce the need synthetic fertilizers – saving both the environment and your time and money.

Related Student Views, Cultural Associations and Folklore:

"Companion planting practices are derived from traditional Native American practices. A popular example of the practice used in modern gardening is the "three sisters method"/ This iis a practice that incorporates the co-production of corn, bean, and squash together because they grow better together. Together, they provide a higher yield, and higher quality, without depleting the soil or environment. The ancient cultural belief is based on the idea that collections of plants can mutually benefit each other when grown together - in some cases they exchange soil nutrients, provide canopy cover, and protection or deter pests. The Three Sisters practices dates back to 1070 AD when employed by The Iroquois. The practice not only produced an abundant and sustainable food supply, but it also offered spiritual significance to the people. The relationships of the crops, represented the appearance of three spirit sisters, spirits who were inseparable and committed to nurture and provide for each other like family. Their presence in the garden was believed to assure the blessing of the great spirit. The practice of The three sisters garden method is still implemented by many Indigenous and believe that the great spirit is teaching them lessons along the way." ~Justyne Gonzalez, B.S. Sustainable Plant Systems, Class of 2024.

"Another community present within this garden are pollinators. Plants such as Justicia californica and Salvia greggii ‘Radio Red’ are plants with vibrant flowers that attract pollinators. Butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, and moths are critical to maintaining our ecosystems as they assist plants in producing seeds and fruits, while also protecting biodiversity. Pollinator and plant communities have a beneficial partnership in providing important services for one another, and contributing to the resilient nature of this garden." ~ Iza Barrandey, B.S. Sustainable Plant Systems, Class of 2024