The turfgrass ecosystem supports a diverse community of nonpest invertebrates that includes which of the following?

The turfgrass ecosystem supports a diverse community of nonpest invertebrates that includes which of the following?

• A. Nematodes
• B. Annelids
• C. Gastropods
• D. Arthropods

Answer: (A)

In a turfgrass root zone, the invertebrate community that isn’t pests is dominated by nematodes. They’re incredibly abundant in soil and come in many feeding types—feeding on bacteria, fungi, other small organisms, or even preying on other soil-dwellers—so they play key roles in nutrient cycling, soil microbial balance, and pest suppression. This wide presence and variety make nematodes a quintessential part of the nonpest invertebrate community in turf soils. While earthworms, certain arthropods, and gastropods are also present, nematodes best capture the typical, diverse nonpest soil life associated with healthy turf.

In a turfgrass root zone, the invertebrate community that isn’t pests is dominated by nematodes. They’re incredibly abundant in soil and come in many feeding types—feeding on bacteria, fungi, other small organisms, or even preying on other soil-dwellers—so they play key roles in nutrient cycling, soil microbial balance, and pest suppression. This wide presence and variety make nematodes a quintessential part of the nonpest invertebrate community in turf soils. While earthworms, certain arthropods, and gastropods are also present, nematodes best capture the typical, diverse nonpest soil life associated with healthy turf.