Biodiv Sci ›› 2011, Vol. 19 ›› Issue (5): 519-527.  DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1003.2011.09048

Special Issue: 生物多样性与生态系统功能 土壤生物与土壤健康

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Effect of Solidago canadensis invasions on soil nematode communities in Hangzhou Bay

Xu Xiangqin1, Wang Yingying1,2, Lu Qiang1, Lin Zhihua1, Chen Huili1,*()   

  1. 1Hangzhou Key Laboratory for Animal Adaptation and Evolution, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 310036
    2National Wetland Museum of China, Hangzhou 310036
  • Received:2011-04-19 Accepted:2011-07-01 Online:2011-09-20 Published:2011-10-08
  • Contact: Chen Huili

Abstract:

Ecologists are increasingly focusing on the effects of biological invasions on soil biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. We compared soil nematodes under plant communities dominated by invasiveSolidago canadensis and native plant Phragmites australis at 6 sites (Zhenhai, Fengxian, Pinghu, Haiyan, Cixi and Hangzhou) in Hangzhou Bay to assess the effects of S. canadensis invasions on soil nematode communities. The total number of genera and diversity of soil nematode did not differ between S. canadensis and P. australis communities. Trophic diversity, most of the proportions of trophic groups and nematode community structure varied between the two plant communities. These results suggested that the invasion of S. canadensis changed soil community structure and functioning in Hangzhou Bay. Compared toP. australis communities, the proportion of fungivores tended to increase in soil underS. canadensis communities, suggesting that the invasion might modify soil nutrient cycling. The proportion of herbivores decreased in soil dominated by S. canadensis, suggesting that the exotic S. canadensisis less vulnerable to parasitic nematodes than the nativeP. australis. Interactions between plant community type and site were significant for nematode diversity and community structure, which indicated that site was an important factor in determining the impact of the invasive plant on soil fauna. Soil grain composition, soil carbon and soil nitrogen were identified as the most important factors in shaping nematode communities.

Key words: plant invasion, Solidago canadensis, nematodes, diversity, community structure