A global database of soil nematode abundance and functional group composition

Area of Science:

• Soil ecology
• Ecology
• Environmental science

Background:

• Nematodes are the most abundant animals on Earth and a dominant soil community component.
• They play critical roles in regulating biogeochemical cycles and vegetation dynamics.
• Nematodes serve as key indicators of soil biological activity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a comprehensive global dataset of soil nematode abundance and functional group composition.
• To facilitate geospatial mapping of soil nematode distribution.
• To identify environmental drivers shaping soil nematode patterns.

Main Methods:

• Compilation of 6,825 georeferenced soil samples from all continents and biomes.
• Aggregation of samples into 1,933 unique 1-km pixels for mapping.
• Linking pixel data with 73 global environmental covariate layers.

Main Results:

• A comprehensive global dataset on soil nematode abundance and community composition is now available.
• The dataset enables detailed spatial mapping of nematode distribution.
• Environmental covariates linked to nematode data provide insights into ecological drivers.

Conclusions:

• The presented dataset is a valuable resource for understanding global soil nematode ecology.
• It aids in investigating the spatial distribution and environmental drivers of soil nematodes.
• This resource supports research on the role of nematodes in ecosystem functioning.