Soil nematode communities on Surtsey, 50 years after the formation of the volcanic island

Soil nematode communities on the volcanic island of Surtsey, 50 years after its formation, exhibit distinct patterns influenced by nutrient availability and soil conditions. The study identified 25 nematode genera, with 14 reported for the first time on Surtsey, revealing higher abundance in areas with strong allochthonous nutrient inputs (S2) compared to those with minimal external nutrients (S1). Nematode trophic structure varied significantly between the two sites, with bacterial- and plant-feeders dominating in S2, while hyphal-feeders were more prevalent in S1. Despite stable vegetation cover at S1 over 17 years, nematode communities continued to change, suggesting gradual shifts in soil environment. Resource availability emerged as a critical driver for nematode colonization during primary succession, though nematode community succession differed from that of plant communities.

Ilieva-Makulec, K., Bjarnadottir, B., & Sigurdsson, B. D. (2015). Soil nematode communities on Surtsey, 50 years after the formation of the volcanic island. Icelandic Agricultural Sciences, 28, 43–58. https://doi.org/10.16886/ias.2015.05