Species and genera of soil nematodes in forest ecosystems of the Vihorlat Protected Landscape Area, Slovakia

Abstract Fauna of soil nematodes was studied in three main forest types of the Vihorlat Mountains, Querceto-Fageto-Aceretum at Remetské Hámre (RH), Fagetum at Morské oko (MO), and Fageto-Aceretum at Sninský kameň (SK). Each forest type was represented by five sites. In total 198 species and 98 genera of soil nematodes were distinguished. Most species belonged to rare taxa with the frequency of occurrence lower than 50 %. The number of species and genera decreased from RH (167 species and 86 genera) through MO (115 and 68) to SK (87 and 51). Species and generic richness was significantly positively correlated with soil pH(H2O), negatively with altitude, soil moisture and Cox. Greater part of nematode species and genera belonged to microbivores and to the taxa with higher cp values of 3 – 5. We can conclude that rich nematode fauna indicated undisturbed forest soil condition, nevertheless, the richness decreased with increasing altitude.

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