Global climate change and its influence on nematode communities and agricultural systems

AbstractHuman interventions have accelerated global environmental changes such as increased nitrogen depositions, increased amounts of atmospheric CO2, temperature rises, and extreme drought that may severely affect various ecosystems as well as the human life. One such effect is the change in soil ecosystem, where nematodes, the most abundant soil fauna, become crucial for biodiversity and the functioning of the ecosystem. The nitrogen deposition also changes the pH and nutrient status of the soil, often benefiting bacterivorous nematodes, but may also have adverse effects due to acidification on others. Increased CO2 amounts have been found to increase soil carbon input, thereby enhancing nematode diversity and abundance through increasing food supplies. While climate warming and drought have individually affected nematodes. Some reports provide evidence for changes in nematode abundance and community composition due to differences in growth, reproduction, and environmental interactions. This review gathers relevant findings from previous literature about soil nematodes and their responses to global change factors and the importance of soil nematodes in terrestrial ecosystems. It highlights the complex interplay of biotic and abiotic factors and provides recommendations for future investigations to deepen understanding and informed sustainable management of soil ecosystems in a rapidly changing world.