Linking nematodes and ecosystem function: a trait-based framework

Chongzhe Zhang, Ian J. Wright, Uffe N. Nielsen, Stefan Geisen, Manqiang Liu

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    18 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Trait-based approaches are being increasingly adopted to understand species’ ecological strategies and how organisms influence ecosystem function. Trait-based research on soil organisms, however, remains poorly developed compared with that for plants. The abundant and diverse soil nematodes are prime candidates to advance trait-based approaches belowground, but a unified trait framework to describe nematode ecological strategies and assess their linkages with ecosystem function is lacking. We categorized nematode traits as morphological, physiological, life history, and community clusters, and proposed the nematode economics spectrum (NES) to better understand nematode ecological strategies and their association with ecosystem function. We argue that bridging the NES and the plant economics spectrum will facilitate a more holistic understanding of ecosystem carbon and nutrient cycling under global change.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)644-653
    Number of pages10
    JournalTrends in Ecology and Evolution
    Volume39
    Issue number7
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Jul 2024

    Bibliographical note

    Publisher Copyright:
    © 2024 Elsevier Ltd

    Keywords

    • ecological strategy
    • economics spectrum
    • global change
    • nematode traits
    • plant traits
    • soil fauna

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