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Linking nematodes and ecosystem function: a trait-based framework.

Chongzhe Zhang1, Ian J Wright2, Uffe N Nielsen3

  • 1Soil Ecology Lab, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia; Centre for Grassland Microbiome, State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730020, Gansu, China.

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Summary

Soil nematodes are key to understanding ecosystem function. This study proposes a new framework, the nematode economics spectrum (NES), to categorize nematode traits and link them to ecosystem processes like nutrient cycling.

Keywords:
ecological strategyeconomics spectrumglobal changenematode traitsplant traitssoil fauna

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Soil Science
  • Nematology

Background:

  • Trait-based approaches are crucial for understanding ecological strategies and ecosystem functions.
  • Research on soil organism traits lags behind plant trait research.
  • Soil nematodes are abundant, diverse, and ecologically significant, yet lack a unified trait framework.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a unified trait framework for soil nematodes.
  • To propose the nematode economics spectrum (NES) for categorizing nematode ecological strategies.
  • To link nematode traits and strategies to ecosystem functions, particularly carbon and nutrient cycling.

Main Methods:

  • Categorized nematode traits into morphological, physiological, life history, and community clusters.
  • Developed the nematode economics spectrum (NES) based on these trait categories.
  • Proposed integrating the NES with the plant economics spectrum.

Main Results:

  • A comprehensive trait categorization for soil nematodes was established.
  • The nematode economics spectrum (NES) was proposed as a tool to understand nematode ecological strategies.
  • The NES framework facilitates the assessment of nematode contributions to ecosystem functions.

Conclusions:

  • A unified trait framework, the NES, is essential for advancing belowground trait-based ecology.
  • Bridging the NES and plant economics spectrum offers a holistic view of ecosystem processes.
  • This approach is vital for predicting ecosystem responses to global change, especially concerning nutrient cycling.