Nematode Diversity in Phaeozem Agroecosystems of Northeast China

The diversity and distribution patterns of soil nematode communities in phaeozem agroecosystems of Northeast China were assessed to evaluate nematode taxonomic diversity and functional diversity in relation to climatic condition and soil characteristics in human modified landscape. Along the latitudinal gradient, soil samples were collected from north (Hailun) to south (Gongzhuling) down to a depth of 100 cm with intervals of 0–20, 20–40, 40–60, 60–80, and 80–100 cm. The nematode abundance and taxonomic diversity (generic richness) were lower at Hailun than at other sites, and higher values of evenness were observed at Hailun and Harbin than at Dehui and Gongzhuling. Nematode faunal analysis revealed that soil food web at Hailun was successionally more mature or structured, and the environment little disturbed, while at Harbin and Gongzhuling, the soil food web was degraded with stressed environment. The environmental variables relevant in explaining the patterns of nematode distribution and diversity in phaeozem agroecosystems, using canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), were the mean annual temperature, total nitrogen, electrical conductivity, mean annual precipitation, and other soil properties. Among these variables, the mean annual temperature was a relatively important factor, which could explain 29.05% of the variations in nematode composition.