Researchers at the University of the Free State (UFS) are investigating microscopic nematodes, also known as roundworms, found in soil across protected nature reserves in the Free State to better understand climate change and ecosystem health.

The project, led by Dr Candice Jansen van Rensburg from the department of zoology and entomology, received funding from the National Research Foundation-Foundational Biodiversity Information Programme for research running from 2026 to 2028.

The study forms part of an international collaboration between South African and Australian scientists focusing on soil biodiversity and environmental monitoring.

Although nematodes are tiny organisms, they are among the most abundant life forms on Earth and play a major ecological role by recycling nutrients in the soil.Their activity helps release nitrogen and other nutrients that plants require, improving soil quality and reducing reliance on fertilisers.

Scientists regard nematodes as important indicators of environmental conditions because their populations react quickly to changes in temperature, moisture, nutrients and ecological disturbances.

By analysing which nematode species are present and how their populations shift over time, researchers can identify broader environmental changes linked to climate variability.The latest phase of the project will focus on mononchida, a poorly studied group of predatory nematodes in South Africa.Researchers will also use DNA barcoding technology to improve species identification through genetic analysis.The collected data will be added to international biodiversity databases such as GenBank and the Barcode of Life Data System.

According to the researchers, Free State nature reserves are valuable research sites because much of the province has been altered by farming and development.

Long-term monitoring of nematode biodiversity in these protected areas could provide an early-warning system for climate-related environmental changes in sensitive grassland and savanna ecosystems.