Effects of Mowing Frequency on Soil Nematode Diversity and Community Structure in a Chinese Meadow Steppe

Jinling Zhao,Linghao Li,Jiale Chen,Honghui Wu,Fengjuan Pan

doi:10.3390/su13105555

Abstract

Soil nematodes are one of the most important components in terrestrial ecosystems and the critical factor driving the belowground process. The grasslands of Northeast China have been subject to mowing for ages, which theoretically should have had substantial effects on the processes associated with soil nematodes. However, relevant studies have barely been conducted to date. This study examined variations in soil nematode abundance, biomass, diversity, and community structure, with respect to varying mowing frequencies. The results showed that a higher mowing frequency significantly reduced the abundance of soil nematodes, biomass, diversity, and community structure stability in the ecosystem, while intermediate mowing frequency enhanced these parameters to different extents. Our findings indicate that the changing patterns of the nematode indices with mowing frequency conform to the intermediate disturbance theory. This study provides a theoretical basis for formulating grassland-related management measures and maintaining the stability of grassland ecosystems.

Highlights

IntroductionPublisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations
We examined the impact of mowing frequency on the soil nematode community structure and genus diversity in a grassland ecosystem of northeastern Inner Mongolia
The results showed that the total abundances of soil nematodes of M2, M6, and M12 were significantly higher than those of M1, M3, and CK

Summary

Introduction

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Grassland ecosystems are the single largest terrestrial biosphere in the world and play a crucial role in primary production and ecosystem functioning [1]. They support the livelihood of over one-fifth of the world’s population and maintain the largest soil carbon and nitrogen pools on Earth. More and more studies show that most ecological functions are substantially dependent on belowground processes, notably carbon and nitrogen cycling, in which soil nematodes are the predominant driving force [2]

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Conclusion