Effects of Experimental Warming and Canada Goldenrod Invasion on the Diversity and Function of the Soil Nematode Community

Abstract

Both global warming and alien plant invasion can affect the biotic communities in the soil. Most studies are focused on the soil microbial community, but little is known about how global warming, along with alien plant invasion, affects the diversity and function of the soil nematode community. In this study, the individual and interactive effects of experimental warming and Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis L.) invasion on soil nematode communities were measured. Experimental air warming, in combination with different levels of S. canadensis invasion, were applied. The results showed that S. canadensis invasion significantly increased chao1, maturity, and structure indexes of the nematode community by 31.44%, 25.57%, and 329.3%, respectively, and decreased the basal index by 48.70% (all p < 0.05). Only the Simpson index was affected by the interaction between warming and S. canadensis invasion. Warming enhanced the S. canadensis invasion effect on the soil nematode community. The changes in nematode community were correlated with shifts in nutrient availability and resource stoichiometry, as well as microbes in the soil. These findings demonstrated that global warming and S. canadensis invasion may, directly and indirectly, alter the soil nematode community, which may considerably affect the functioning of underground food webs.

Regulation of the Soil Microbial Metabolism Through Alterations in the Vegetative Community in Wetlands

“…During vegetation community alterations (such as succession or degradation), the substrate (i.e., litter, residues, and root exudates) input into the soil from the plant may be an essential mechanism to regulate soil available nutrients. Therefore, adding mulch to the soil increases the water and nutrient retention capacity, which deliberately enhances soil carbon capacity, composition, and fertility to increase the production of crops [43][44][45][46]. Previous studies have demonstrated that the activity of microbial extracellular enzymes could be inhibited through interactions with substrates released by Spartamina alterniflora [44].…”

Allelopathic Activity of Canadian Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis L.) Extracts on Seed Germination and Growth of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and Garden Pepper Cress (Lepidium sativum L.)

“…In 2004, S. canadensis , together with 17 other plant species was recorded as an invasive weed in Lithuania [ 10 ]. Canadian goldenrod is considered to be one of the greatest threats to biodiversity and native species communities increasing the negative impact on natural ecosystems along with factors such as habitat degradation, change in landscape, pollution, exploitation and climate change [ 11 , 12 ].…”