Nematode communities were studied in alder, oak and pine plantations, about 30-year-old, on sand coal-mining spoils at Cottbus in Germany and on clay coal-mining spoils at Sokolov, Czech Republic. Mean abundance of nematodes varied from 326 to 772 x 10(3) ind.m(-2) and biomass from 286 to 795 mg.m(-2). The genera Plectus, Acrobeloides, Filenchus and Aphelenchoides were common in all localities. The genera Rhabditis, Wilsonema, Tylencholaimus, Cephalenchus, Coslenchus, Rotylenchus, Aporcelaimellus, Eudorylaimus. and Prionchulus showed particular preferences for individual sites. Nematode faunas in alder and oak plantations were more affected by region than nematode faunas in pine plantations. Maturity Index and trophic diversity of nematode communities were greater in tree plantations on clay spoils than on sand spoils. Taxonomic diversity of nematode communities was greater in deciduous forest plantations on sand spoils than on clay spoils.
