Soil Nematode Communities of Ericaceous Belt of the Bale National Park (Ethiopia)

Nematode communities of ericaceous belt of the Bale National Park (Ethiopia) were examined in 2023 and 2024. The nematodes of Cambic and Folic Phaeozems formed under Erica tree and scrub life-forms were compared. The nematodes were isolated from soil by Baermann technique with subsequent assessment of total nematode abundance, taxonomic diversity, trophic guilds and ecological indices. The total abundance and biomass of nematodes differed significantly in Cambic and Folic Phaeozems. Also, the season significantly affected the soil nematode community’s features. The bacterivorous nematodes were dominant in all studied soils. Significant increases in fungivorous and decreases in omnivorous nematodes were recorded under Erica scrub life-form compared to tree life-form. The maximum number of phytonematodes was observed in Cambic Phaeozem. Mesodorylaimus, Hemicycliophora were eudominant genera in Cambic Phaeozem, whereas Acrobeloides, Plectus and Filenchus predominated in Folic Phaeozem. Rhabditis was dominant in all studied plots in all seasons. The trophic webs of studied soils were balanced and not disturbed.