Nematode community structure as indicator of soil functioning in
European grassland soils
European Journal of Soil Biology, 37 (4):
263-268 (2001)Abstract
This investigation analyses whether soil nematode diversity is correlated
with soil functional parameters to serve as bioindicator of soil
functioning. The analysis focuses on the interrelations of nematofauna,
microflora, and soil nitrogen pools. The sites studied represent
six major European grassland types: Northern tundra, atlantic heath,
wet grassland, seminatural temperate grassland, East European steppe,
and mediterranean garigue. Continental and local climate gradients
were combined to a wide and continuous range of microclimate conditions.
Nematode richness, as indicated by the number of genera, was highest
under temperate conditions and declined towards the climatic extremes.
Differences in richness affected all nematode feeding types proportionally.
Nematode richness was the only parameter among a range of 15 alternatives
tested that exhibited consistent correlations with mass and activity
parameters of both nematofauna and microflora in the mineral grassland
soils (garigue, wet grassland, seminatural grassland, steppe). In
the same soils, the nematode Maturity Index was the best indicator
of nitrogen status. We conclude that a high nematode richness can
generally be seen as a good indicator of an active nematofauna and
microflora in mineral grassland soils, and hence as an indicator
of the decomposition function. The prospects of exploiting nematode
diversity as an indicator of soil functioning are critically discussed.