Post-fire recovery of nematode communities along a slope gradient in a pine forest.
Environ Monit Assess
; 196(9): 864, 2024 Aug 30.
Article
de En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39212764
ABSTRACT
We investigated the enduring consequences of a wildfire on nematode diversity and abundance in a pine forest, employing a slope gradient approach. Our primary objective was to determine the extent of post-fire alterations in the nematode community 3 years after the incident, to understand if the ecosystem has returned to its pre-fire state or has transitioned to a distinctive ecological environment. Three distinct burned pine forest sites at varying elevations were sampled to capture short-scale soil property variations due to slope gradients, while unburned forest sites served as controls. A consistent pattern emerged where the lowest altitude sites exhibited the highest nematode abundances, although still lower than unburned sites. Fire-induced changes were profound, shifting from fungivore dominance in unburned sites to bacterivore and herbivore dominance in burned sites. Alterations in soil properties post-fire, particularly reduced organic matter and nitrogen content, were closely associated with nematode community shifts. Water availability played a crucial role with lower moisture levels at higher elevations impacting nematode populations. Structural differences in the nematode community primarily resulted from fire disturbance rather than altitude. This study emphasizes the persistent and transformative impact of wildfire on nematode communities, highlighting the intricate interplay between ecological disturbances, soil properties, and nematode trophic dynamics.
Mots clés
Texte intégral:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Base de données:
MEDLINE
Sujet principal:
Sol
/
Forêts
/
Feux de friches
/
Pinus
/
Nematoda
Limites:
Animals
Langue:
En
Journal:
Environ Monit Assess
Sujet du journal:
SAUDE AMBIENTAL
Année:
2024
Type de document:
Article
Pays d'affiliation:
Grèce
Pays de publication:
Pays-Bas