Publication Details |
| Category | Text Publication |
| Reference Category | Journals |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.baae.2026.01.007 |
Licence  |
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| Title (Primary) | Plant cover rather than species richness drives nematode community structure and function on extensive and semi-intensive roof greening |
| Author | Aisu, J.; Kraaz, J.; Bruelheide, H.; Moeller, L.; Offenderlein, V.; Dietrich, P. |
| Source Titel | Basic and Applied Ecology |
| Year | 2026 |
| Department | SUBT |
| Volume | 91 |
| Page From | 74 |
| Page To | 84 |
| Language | englisch |
| Topic | T7 Bioeconomy |
| Data and Software links | https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18487303 |
| Supplements | Supplement 1 |
| Keywords | Green roofs; Nematodes; Rooftop management; Soil biodiversity; Plant cover; Urban ecosystems |
| Abstract | Green
roofs are important urban habitats, yet the effects of rooftop
vegetation management on belowground communities, particularly
nematodes, are largely unknown. In this study, we investigated how
nematode community structure, abundance, and functional composition are
shaped across four types of green rooftops with different management
systems; extensive greening with or without irrigation, semi-intensive
greening with either native or neophyte plant species. We also tested
the effects of weeding as a common disturbance practice. Management type
strongly shaped nematode communities. Extensive roofs supported
predator-omnivore rich assemblages, while intensive roofs supported
bacterivore-rich communities. Total abundance and α-diversity increased
with management intensity. Functional indices indicated a higher
maturity and structural indices in extensive roofs compared to intensive
roofs. Weeding reduced overall nematode abundance but did not
significantly alter their community composition. Plant cover and soil
carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratios emerged as good predictors of nematode
abundance. High plant cover supported high total nematode densities,
while high C:N ratios suppressed abundance. Overall, our results
indicate that green roof management types are associated with consistent
differences in nematode community structure and functional indices,
reflecting contrasting belowground ecological conditions across roof
types. |
| Aisu, J., Kraaz, J., Bruelheide, H., Moeller, L., Offenderlein, V., Dietrich, P. (2026): Plant cover rather than species richness drives nematode community structure and function on extensive and semi-intensive roof greening Basic Appl. Ecol. 91 , 74 - 84 10.1016/j.baae.2026.01.007 |
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