Nematode assemblages from Mountain Pine (Pinus mugo Turra) communities in Pirin Mountain, Bulgaria

The structural and functional diversity of nematode communities from Pinus mugo sites in Pirin Mountain was assessed. The sampling plots represent different levels of disturbance — next to and outside ski runs. Nematode assemblages from this habitat can be characterised with high diversity (in total, 104 taxa and richness ranging from 41 to 65 genera per site). In general, the trophic structure was dominated by omnivorous and bacterial feeders coupled with low proportion of plant feeding nematodes. The high values of Maturity indices and the results from faunal analysis indicate relatively stable environment and undisturbed conditions for all sites. No clear correlation between the nematode assemblages’ characteristics and the level of disturbance (position of the site in relation to ski runs) was revealed.