CHANGES IN NEMATODE COMMUNITY STRUCTURE IN A PRIMARY SUCCESSION OF BLOWN-OUT AREAS IN A DRIFT SAND LANDSCAPE

Nematode community structure and nematode abundance in a primary succe ssion of blown-out areas in a drift sand landscape were studied. The s uccessional stages sampled included drift sands without vegetation, Sp ergulo-Corynephoretum and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forest of d ifferent age. Samples were taken from the 0-10 cm mineral soil and, in the forested stages, also from the organic layer. In order to study s uccession of the nematode fauna in relation to soil development, the o rganic layer was divided into a litter, fermentation and humus horizon s. Multivariate analyses showed gradual changes in nematode faunal str ucture as succession proceeded. The colonization of the sites by highe r plants, and the subsequent invasion of Scots pine coincided with mar ked differences in the composition of the nematode fauna. The diversit y of the nematode fauna increased as soil development proceeded. Diffe rences in nematode fauna structure between the soil horizons within an y successional stage appeared larger than differences between the succ essional stages of the soil horizons. The successional changes in the composition of the nematode fauna are discussed in terms of the coloni zers-persisters model of Bongers, and the prospect for nematodes to co ntribute to a soil classification system are indicated.