Institute of Parasitology
Topic
Soil Nematodes and Ecosystem Dynamics as Indicators of Environmental Soil Disturbances
PhD. program
Zoology, daily form
Year of admission
2025
Name of the supervisor
Ing. Andrea Čerevková, PhD.
Contact:
Receiving school
Comenius University, Bratislava
Annotation
The aims are to investigate the role of soil nematodes as bioindicators for assessing soil environmental disturbances and their influence on ecosystem dynamics. As key components of the soil food web, soil nematodes will be analyzed in terms of their interactions with microbial communities, plant roots, and nutrient cycling. The research will focus on the composition of nematode communities, their functional roles, and trophic interactions in disturbed and undisturbed soil ecosystems. Changes in nematode abundance, diversity, and trophic structure will be examined to highlight their sensitivity to human impacts such as pollution and land-use changes. Ecological and functional indices will be evaluated as tools for monitoring soil health. Field and experimental studies will link nematode data with soil abiotic parameters, emphasizing their role in soil carbon and nitrogen cycles. The results will contribute to assessing soil health and ecosystem resilience, supporting sustainable soil management and conservation strategies. This research will advance understanding of the connections between soil biodiversity and ecosystem processes, providing valuable insights for evaluating soil health in the context of environmental changes.