Nematodes: The Tail of Ecosystem Function

Nematodes are an example of functional and anatomic economy. A hallmark of the phylum is its exceptional diversity and ubiquity on the globe. A key to their success is their ability to survive extreme temperature and moisture regimes. When environmental conditions are favorable, species that feed on decomposer microbes contribute up to 19% in nitrogen mineralization. Composition of their communities reflects disturbance to soil by land management practices making them reliable indicators. Formerly, a science focused on control of parasitic and harmful species, soil nematodes can be a tool for testing ecological hypotheses and understanding biological mechanisms in soil.