Soil Nematode Communities Across Large Spatial Scales

Nematode communities are shaped by a number of factors including soil properties, biome characteristics, climate, agricultural management and other anthropogenic perturbations. Also, biotic factors such as plants, microbes and other animals drive nematode community structure. At large spatial scales, effects of land-use intensification and climate drive nematode responses to agricultural management. Environmental filters such as soil pH, texture, vegetation or aridity may determine soil diversity at regional, continental and global scales. While recent studies show that soil nematode abundances are highest in tundra and boreal forests, large-scale patterns of nematode diversity remain elusive. Large-scale samplings, designed to answer specific questions and performed at high taxonomical resolution, are needed to disentangle nematode biogeographical patterns and to enhance our understanding on the roles of and threats to nematode diversity. Coordinated efforts to monitor soil diversity at large scales should be prioritized to ensure soil health and the global benefits provided by soil biodiversity.