Soil Nematodes of Grasslands in Northern China

Soil Nematodes of Grasslands in Northern China presents research on China’s temperate grasslands, providing the findings and results of a large field survey along a transect across the northern temperate grassland. It examines nematode distribution patterns along the transect from trophic group and family, to genus level, also evaluating their relationship with climatic conditions, plant biomass and soil parameters. The book then presents detailed taxonomy information of nematodes to genus or species level, providing keen insights into nematode diversity along the grassland transect in north China.

Final sections review the advances and perspectives for the research of soil ecology on soil nematodes in China, including recent major discoveries of soil microbial diversity and eco-function during this field survey.

This work will help researchers predict the impact of global change drivers on below ground soil biota and better understand the functioning and services they provide in terrestrial ecosystems.

• Features previously unavailable information on nematode diversity and distribution along a large geographic region of China
• Describes the relationship of nematode assemblage composition with climatic conditions, plant and soil characteristics
• Covers nematode genera and species descriptions along the grassland transect

Nematologists, soil ecologists, and other researchers, academics and students interested in soil biodiversity and biogeography as well in the taxonomy of soil nematodes in the grassland ecosystem

Part 1 Introduction
1. Brief introduction to the grassland in China
2. Background information for the grassland transect in north China

Part 2 Nematode diversity and distribution along the grassland transect
3. Nematode composition along the grassland transect
4. Patterns of climatic distribution of nematode trophic groups
5. Nematode genera richness and diversity
6. Relations of nematode assemblage composition with plant and soil characteristics

Part 3 Nematode genera and species description along the grassland transect
7. Background about the nematode taxonomy
8. Keys to the nematode family presented in the grassland transect
9. Nematode genera and species presented in the grassland transect

Part 4 Advances and perspectives in soil nematode ecology in China
10. Progress and research field in soil nematode ecology
11. Future challenge in soil nematode ecology in China