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

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.