A Review of the Current Status and Perspectives of Nematode Communities in Forest Ecosystems

Abstract

Forest ecosystems have high biodiversity and provide various ecosystem services. However, anthropogenic activities have degraded biodiversity, and impaired ecosystem services. The maintenance and improvement of soil biodiversity in forests are essential because soil organisms contribute to the recycling of matter flows in the soil food web. Among them, nematodes are one of the most abundant animals on earth and play key roles in soil ecological processes. Although nematode community studies are accumulated, a review of its community patterns in forest ecosystems is largely lacking. Nematodes can accelerate nutrient flows by eating microbes and plant roots. Clarifying nematode communities in various ecosystems provide valuable information for understanding soil ecological processes. Thus, to overview trends and foresee future studies of nematodes in forest ecosystems, firstly, I reviewed the diversity, abundance and contributions of soil nematodes in forest ecosystems. Second, I showed determinant factors of nematode communities. Finally, I mentioned the possible application of soil nematodes as bioindicators, and the methodology of nematode communities by using the latest molecular techniques.