Author
Tom Bongers
Bio: Tom Bongers is an academic researcher from Wageningen University and Research Centre. The author has contributed to research in topics: Soil food web & Grassland. The author has an hindex of 34, co-authored 48 publications receiving 10552 citations.
Topics: Soil food web, Grassland, Soil biology, Food web, Fauna
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Journal Article•
TL;DR: Because research on nematode involvement in trophic interactions, foodweb structure, and biodiversity is constrained by lack of an overview of nematodes feeding habits, this outline presents a consensus of current thought on Nematode feeding habits.
Abstract: Because research on nematode involvement in trophic interactions, foodweb structure, and biodiversity is constrained by lack of an overview of nematode feeding habits, this outline presents a consensus of current thought on nematode feeding habits. The source of food is fundamental to trophic interactions and provides the basis for our definitions of the essential feeding types: 1) plant feeder, 2) hyphal feeder, 3) bacterial feeder, 4) substrate ingester, 5) predator of animals, 6) unicellular eucaryote feeder, 7) dispersal or infective stage of parasites, and 8) omnivore. Lists of families and genera with their presumed feeding types are given. Major gaps in knowledge of feeding in the smaller tylenchids and many dorylaims are noted.
2,094 citations
TL;DR: The maturity index, based on the nematode fauna, is proposed as a gauge of the condition of the soil ecosystem and the use of nematodes in environmental studies is discussed.
Abstract: Nematode assemblages constitute a potential instrument for assessing the quality of submersed, temporarily submersed, and terrestrial soils and for the development of an ecological typology and biomonitoring system. Interpretation of physical or pollution-induced disturbances has hitherto mainly been based on changes in diversity, dominance patterns or percentage of dorylaimids (Adenophorea). The maturity index, based on the nematode fauna, is proposed as a gauge of the condition of the soil ecosystem. Values on a coloniser/persister scale are given for nematodes that occur in The Netherlands. The possibilities of the use of this index are demonstrated by a retrospective interpretation of some literature data. The use of nematodes in environmental studies is discussed.
1,691 citations
TL;DR: This work enhances the resolution of faunal analyses by providing a weighting system for the indicator importance of the presence and abundance of each functional guild in relation to enrichment and structure of the food web.
1,142 citations
TL;DR: The most recent colonizer–persister allocation and the application of this scaling in the Maturity Index, cp-triangles, MI(2–5) and PPI/MI-ratio is presented and the life strategy approach and trophic group classification are proposed to integrate to obtain a better understanding of nematode biodiversity and soil functioning.
985 citations
TL;DR: Recent development of indices that integrate the responses of different taxa and trophic groups to perturbation provides a powerful basis for analysis of faunal assemblages in soil as in situ environmental assessment systems.
Abstract: Four of every five multicellular animals on the planet are nematodes. They occupy any niche that provides an available source of organic carbon in marine, freshwater and terrestrial environments. Nematodes vary in sensitivity to pollutants and environmental disturbance. Recent development of indices that integrate the responses of different taxa and trophic groups to perturbation provides a powerful basis for analysis of faunal assemblages in soil as in situ environmental assessment systems.
973 citations
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TL;DR: Preface to the Princeton Landmarks in Biology Edition vii Preface xi Symbols used xiii 1.
Abstract: Preface to the Princeton Landmarks in Biology Edition vii Preface xi Symbols Used xiii 1. The Importance of Islands 3 2. Area and Number of Speicies 8 3. Further Explanations of the Area-Diversity Pattern 19 4. The Strategy of Colonization 68 5. Invasibility and the Variable Niche 94 6. Stepping Stones and Biotic Exchange 123 7. Evolutionary Changes Following Colonization 145 8. Prospect 181 Glossary 185 References 193 Index 201
14,171 citations
University of California, Irvine1, University of Montana2, University of California, Riverside3, University of Notre Dame4, University of Vermont5, Kansas State University6, State University of New York at Plattsburgh7, Rockefeller University8, Vanderbilt University9, University of New Orleans10, University of California, Santa Cruz11
TL;DR: In this article, the introduction of invasive species and identifying life history stages where management will be most effective are discussed. And evolutionary processes may be key features in determining whether invasive species establish and spread.
Abstract: ■ Abstract Contributions from the field of population biology hold promise for understanding and managing invasiveness; invasive species also offer excellent opportunities to study basic processes in population biology. Life history studies and demographic models may be valuable for examining the introduction of invasive species and identifying life history stages where management will be most effective. Evolutionary processes may be key features in determining whether invasive species establish and spread. Studies of genetic diversity and evolutionary changes should be useful for
3,280 citations
TL;DR: Recent progress in understanding belowground biodiversity and its role in determining the ecological and evolutionary responses of terrestrial ecosystems to current and future environmental change are reviewed.
Abstract: Evidence is mounting that the immense diversity of microorganisms and animals that live belowground contributes significantly to shaping aboveground biodiversity and the functioning of terrestrial ecosystems. Our understanding of how this belowground biodiversity is distributed, and how it regulates the structure and functioning of terrestrial ecosystems, is rapidly growing. Evidence also points to soil biodiversity as having a key role in determining the ecological and evolutionary responses of terrestrial ecosystems to current and future environmental change. Here we review recent progress and propose avenues for further research in this field.
2,074 citations
TL;DR: A conference entitled "Soil Health: Managing the Biological Component of Soil Quality" was held in the USA in 1998 to help increase awareness of the importance and utility of soil organisms as indicators of soil quality and determinants of soil health.
1,462 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors assess the impacts on biodiversity of organic farming, relative to conventional agriculture, through a review of comparative studies of the two systems, in order to determine whether it can deliver on the biodiversity benefits its proponents claim.
1,418 citations