Data from: Patterns of earthworm, enchytraeid and nematode diversity and community structure in urban soils of different ages

Annelids (Lumbricidae and Enchytraeidae) and nematodes are common soil
organisms and play important roles in organic matter decomposition,
nutrient cycling and creation of soil structure and porosity. However,
these three groups have rarely been studied together and only few studies
exist for urban soils. We studied the diversity and community composition
of annelids and nematodes in soils spanning more than two centuries of
urban soil development in Neuchâtel (Switzerland) and assessed the
relationships 1) among these three groups and 2) between each group and
environmental (physical, chemical and functional) characteristics of soils
and soil age. While the groups of environmental variables were correlated
(Mantel tests) no correlation was found between pairs of soil fauna groups
and between each soil fauna group and environmental variables. More
specifically, redundancy analyses showed that earthworm assemblages were
best correlated with soil bulk density and with soil depth, the latter
being positively correlated with soil age. Enchytraeid assemblages and the
proportion of enchytraeid r-strategists were respectively best correlated
with soil carbonate content and negatively correlated with soil age.
Nematodes assemblages were best correlated with soil water content.
Moreover, relationships between pairs of soil biota groups, and between
each group and environmental (physical, chemical and functional)
variables, varied along the soil age gradient (moving window analysis).
This study provides new knowledge on urban soil biodiversity and how
environmental conditions can influence soil diversity and community
patterns in the urban context. The contrasted community patterns of
earthworms, enchytraeids and nematodes in urban soils of different ages
and their different ecological roles suggest that they represent potential
complementary indicators of soil quality and functioning such as soil
formation and organic matter dynamics.