@article{fdi:010095553,
  title = {{E}cosystem functions supported by soil bacterivorous nematodes},
  author = {{T}rap, {J}ean and {B}rondani, {M}argot and {P}lassard, {C}. and {H}edde, {M}. and {P}uissant, {J}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{N}ematodes provide essential ecosystem functions, yet their specific contributions remain insufficiently quantified. {A}mong them, bacterivorous nematodes ({BN}) are abundant and functionally diverse, but their ecological roles are often overlooked. {H}ere, we combine a comprehensive literature review with a meta-analysis to assess the contribution of {BN} to terrestrial ecosystem functions from controlled experiments. {A}cross 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. {T}hey 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%. {I}n addition, {BN} influence root morphological traits (e.g., lengths, branching) and can modulate mutualistic interactions, particularly with mycorrhizae and rhizobia. {F}inally, {BN} can also contribute to the degradation of soil contaminants, the regulation of pathogens, and carbon sequestration. {H}owever, 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. {W}e discuss underlying mechanisms, including consumer-driven nutrient recycling and microbial stimulation, and identify major research gaps in the functional ecology of soil {BN}. {O}ur synthesis highlights {BN} as pivotal players in soil functioning and calls for broader recognition of their roles in sustainable agroecosystem management.},
  keywords = {{M}eta-analysis ; {M}icrobial food web ; {N}ematode functional roles ; {N}utrient cycling ; {P}lant-nematode-microbe interactions ; {S}oil health},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{G}eoderma},
  volume = {463},
  numero = {},
  pages = {117575 [17 p.]},
  ISSN = {0016-7061},
  year = {2025},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.geoderma.2025.117575},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010095553},
}