Biological indicative assessment of nematodes in evaluating different terrestrial habitats

Abstract

Healthy soil ecosystem plays crucial role maintaining global biosphere and developing sustainable agricultural practices. Land exploitation and improper agricultural practices greatly impact the soil health quality in time and space. Understanding the effects of organic and inorganic enrichments on soil quality and its indicators has been identified as one of the most important goals for modern soil science. For the present study, we compared the differences in the nematode diversity of healthy undisturbed soil with soil enriched with organic amendments and inorganic amendments. Soil samples were collected from three different habitats viz., organic enriched soil, inorganic enriched soil and undisturbed soil in rural and urban areas. Nematode community structure was studied in terms of frequency, density, biomass, trophic diversity and other common diversity or ecological indices. A total of 56, 61 and 72 nematode genera/species were identified in organic enriched, inorganic enriched and undisturbed soil. Shannon’s diversity index (H′) values were higher in undisturbed habitat than organic and inorganic enriched soil indicated that diversity of species was highest in undisturbed habitats. The Maturity index (MI), Structure Index (SI) was lowest and Enrichment Index (EI) was highest for organic and inorganic enriched soil revealed unstable and disturbed ecosystem. While in undisturbed habitats MI, SI were high and EI was lowest reflect stable and structured ecosystem. This study will provide a base for stakeholders mainly in land use and sustainable agricultural practices and serves as a triggering mechanism for implementation of soil contamination mitigating strategies.