SHORT-TERM EFFECT OF FIRE ON THE NEMATODE COMMUNITY IN A PINE FOREST

Before burning in winter 1990, the soil nematode community at two warm temperature pine forest sites consisted of 26 - 39% herbivores, 28 - 40% fungivores, 29% bacterivores, 3 - 4% omnivores, and 1% predators. Within six weeks after controlled burning, total numbers of omnivores and predators increased at one of two sites. Herbivores were little affected immediately after burning, except for Belonolaimus, which declined at one site. The fungivore Aphelenchoides, which was abundant in litter prior to burning, declined in soil after burning at both sites. Genera of several bacterivores showed short-term changes following burning. Acrobeloides, initially the most abundant bacterivore in soil, increased in abundance after burning at both sites. Acrobeles increased after burning, but Alaimus, Anaplectus, Prismatolaimus, and Rhabditis declined at one of two sites.