Long-term effects of charcoal on nematodes and other soil meso- and microfaunal groups at historical kiln-sites – a pilot study

Abstract Charcoal additions considerably alter the chemical and physical properties of soil. However, direct and indirect charcoal-induced effects on soil biota, particularly on meso- and micro-invertebrates are scarcely assessed. This pilot study aimed to investigate abundances of meso- and micro-invertebrates, particularly free-living nematodes, in soil and decaying leaf litter on ancient charcoal kiln sites in comparison to adjacent control sites. For nematodes we additionally investigated feeding type distribution. The abundance of nematodes tended to be lower in kiln-soils and reduced in litter on kiln sites, while the abundance of most groups remained unaffected by charcoal. Additionally, the proportion of fungivorous nematodes was higher in litter, but remained unaffected in soil. In conclusion our pilot study indicates that charcoal additions affected nematode communities whereas other mesofaunal groups seem to remain unaffected.