Zoological Studies

Soil Nematode Abundance and Diversity in Different Forest Types at Changbai Mountain, China

Min Zhang, Wen-Ju Liang, and Xiao-Ke Zhang (2012) Soil nematode communities were investigated in the O and A horizons of soils in 4 typical forest types (mixed coniferous-broadleaf forest (MCB), dark-coniferous spruce-fir forest (DCSF), dark-coniferous spruce forest (DCS), and Ermans birch forest (EB)) along an elevational gradient at Changbai Mt., China.  Sixty-two genera were identified in this study.  Results showed that soil nematode abundance and diversity significantly differed among the different forest types along an elevational gradient.  A horizon effect was stronger on nematode abundance than on diversity.  Fungivores were found to be the dominant trophic group and comprised approximately 45%-63% of total nematodes.  Nematode assemblages had the greatest diversity, maturity, and generic richness under the MCB.  Forest types could be distinguished through a canonical correspondence analysis of nematode genera.  Forest type and elevation were crucial to the distribution of soil nematode communities at Changbai Mt.  The soil C:N ratio, microbial biomass carbon, and pH were important factors affecting soil nematode communities.