Changes in free-living nematode community structure in relation to progressive land reclamation at an intertidal marsh

Nematode communities were investigated at two locations along two transects on Chongming Island in the Changjiang Estuary, China, which had received different intensities of intertidal marsh reclamation. Our results demonstrate that marsh reclamation altered nematode community structure, and the frequency of reclamation also substantially affected nematode communities. Nematode generic richness and diversity were significantly lower at reclaimed stations than at tideland stations, whereas nematode abundance and evenness did not change significantly after reclamation. MDS ordination indicated that different nematode communities could be distinguished for un-reclaimed, newly reclaimed and old reclaimed stations. Stations on the same land type at two locations were grouped together, suggesting that land use management exerted greater influence on nematode communities than location.