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<p>Mining activities contribute significantly to the Philippine economy, yet its economic potential is often outweighed by negative environmental costs. Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is particularly linked to soil contamination and biodiversity loss. This study assessed the impacts of ASGM on soil nematode communities in Nabunturan, Davao de Oro, southern Philippines. Soil samples from four stations - two disturbed by mining (active and abandoned) and two reference sites - were analyzed for pH, organic carbon (OC), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), soil texture, and metal concentrations (Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn). Nematodes were extracted with a modified tray method and identified morphologically. Community responses were evaluated through abundance, trophic composition, and nematode-based indices. Results showed a clear fertility-contamination trade-off across sites. The active mining site S4 had elevated metal concentrations and depleted soil fertility, showing the lowest nematode abundance, genus richness, and maturity indices (MI<sub>2−5</sub> and SI), with communities dominated by tolerant, low c-p opportunistic taxa (e.g. <i>Acrobeloides</i> and <i>Meloidogyne</i>) while sensitive, high c-p omnivores and predators were absent. Mercury levels were elevated across sites and were highest at the abandoned site S3, suggesting atmospheric deposition and legacy contamination in addition to ongoing inputs at S4. In contrast, reference sites (S1 and S2) supported higher abundance, genus richness, and structured communities while the abandoned site (S3) exhibited signs of ecological recovery with intermediate soil and biological conditions, indicating partial recovery linked to vegetation regrowth and organic matter accumulation. Strong correlations between soil chemistry and nematode community and nematode indices confirm their value as reliable bioindicators of soil degradation. This study highlights how ASGM shapes both soil chemistry and biological communities, demonstrating the value of nematode-based indices in environmental monitoring and illustrating potential recovery in degraded or ASGM-impacted areas.</p>

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Nematode community structure of a small-scale mining area in Davao de Oro, Philippines

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月18日

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  • Millanie P. Abatay,
  • Jamiel C. Macaraya,
  • Mylah Villacorte-Tabelin,
  • Nanette Hope N. Sumaya,
  • Joey Genevieve T. Martinez

摘要

Mining activities contribute significantly to the Philippine economy, yet its economic potential is often outweighed by negative environmental costs. Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is particularly linked to soil contamination and biodiversity loss. This study assessed the impacts of ASGM on soil nematode communities in Nabunturan, Davao de Oro, southern Philippines. Soil samples from four stations - two disturbed by mining (active and abandoned) and two reference sites - were analyzed for pH, organic carbon (OC), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), soil texture, and metal concentrations (Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn). Nematodes were extracted with a modified tray method and identified morphologically. Community responses were evaluated through abundance, trophic composition, and nematode-based indices. Results showed a clear fertility-contamination trade-off across sites. The active mining site S4 had elevated metal concentrations and depleted soil fertility, showing the lowest nematode abundance, genus richness, and maturity indices (MI2−5 and SI), with communities dominated by tolerant, low c-p opportunistic taxa (e.g. Acrobeloides and Meloidogyne) while sensitive, high c-p omnivores and predators were absent. Mercury levels were elevated across sites and were highest at the abandoned site S3, suggesting atmospheric deposition and legacy contamination in addition to ongoing inputs at S4. In contrast, reference sites (S1 and S2) supported higher abundance, genus richness, and structured communities while the abandoned site (S3) exhibited signs of ecological recovery with intermediate soil and biological conditions, indicating partial recovery linked to vegetation regrowth and organic matter accumulation. Strong correlations between soil chemistry and nematode community and nematode indices confirm their value as reliable bioindicators of soil degradation. This study highlights how ASGM shapes both soil chemistry and biological communities, demonstrating the value of nematode-based indices in environmental monitoring and illustrating potential recovery in degraded or ASGM-impacted areas.