Trap Jean, Brondani Margot, Plassard C., Hedde M., Puissant J. (2025). Ecosystem functions supported by soil bacterivorous nematodes. Geoderma, 463, p. 117575 [17 p.]. ISSN 0016-7061.
Auteurs
Trap Jean, Brondani Margot, Plassard C., Hedde M., Puissant J.
Source
Geoderma, 2025,
463, p. 117575 [17 p.] ISSN 0016-7061
Nematodes provide essential ecosystem functions, yet their specific contributions remain insufficiently quantified. Among them, bacterivorous nematodes (BN) are abundant and functionally diverse, but their ecological roles are often overlooked. Here, we combine a comprehensive literature review with a meta-analysis to assess the contribution of BN to terrestrial ecosystem functions from controlled experiments. Across 1131 effect sizes, our meta-analysis shows that BN significantly promote key soil processes: they increase microbial biomass by 20%, microbial respiration by 31%, and enhance nutrient cycling, raising soil-available N and P by 21% and 17%, respectively. They regulate bacterial community composition through selective feeding and dispersal, and can stimulate enzymatic activities compared to soil without BN. BN also improve shoot and total biomass by 19% and 13%, shoot N amount by 22%, and root N amount by 35%. In addition, BN influence root morphological traits (e.g., lengths, branching) and can modulate mutualistic interactions, particularly with mycorrhizae and rhizobia. Finally, BN can also contribute to the degradation of soil contaminants, the regulation of pathogens, and carbon sequestration. However, these effects are modulated by several factors; they vary widely with nematode species, life-history strategy, soil nutrient status (especially soil C:N ratio and P availability), and experiment duration. We discuss underlying mechanisms, including consumer-driven nutrient recycling and microbial stimulation, and identify major research gaps in the functional ecology of soil BN. Our synthesis highlights BN as pivotal players in soil functioning and calls for broader recognition of their roles in sustainable agroecosystem management.
Plan de classement
Sciences fondamentales / Techniques d'analyse et de recherche [020]
;
Pédologie [068]
;
Biologie du sol [074]
;
Etudes, transformation, conservation du milieu naturel [082]
