h i g h l i g h t s Mancozeb offer a risk to key-groups of non-target species in subtropical soils. F. candida and E. crypticus were the most sensitive speciesto Mancozeb. Tests with earthworms were insufficient to protect other non-target invertebrates populations. A multicriteria approach (soil types and organisms) is needed for pesticides risk assessment.

Soil life supports the functioning and biodiversity of terrestrial ecosystems1,2. Springtails (Collembola) are among the most abundant soil animals regulating soil fertility and flow of energy through above- and belowground food webs3-5. However, the global distribution of springtail diversity and density, and how these relate to energy fluxes remains unknown. Here, using a global dataset collected from 2,470 sites, we estimate total soil springtail biomass at 29 Mt carbon (threefold higher than wild terrestrial vertebrates6) and record peak densities up to 2 million individuals per m2 in the Arctic. Despite a 20-fold biomass difference between tundra and the tropics, springtail energy use (community metabolism) remains similar across the latitudinal gradient, owing to the increase in temperature. Neither springtail density nor community metabolism were predicted by local species richness, which was highest in the tropics, but comparably high in some temperate forests and even tundra. Changes in springtail activity may emerge from latitudinal gradients in temperature, predation7,8, and resource limitation7,9,10 in soil communities. Contrasting temperature responses of biomass, diversity and activity of springtail communities suggest that climate warming will alter fundamental soil biodiversity metrics in different directions, potentially restructuring terrestrial food webs and affecting major soil functions.

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Soil life supports the functioning and biodiversity of terrestrial ecosystems. Springtails (Collembola) are among the most abundant soil arthropods regulating soil fertility and flow of energy through above- and belowground food webs. However, the global distribution of springtail diversity and density, and how these relate to energy fluxes remains unknown. Here, using a global dataset representing 2470 sites, we estimate the total soil springtail biomass at 27.5 megatons carbon, which is threefold higher than wild terrestrial vertebrates, and record peak densities up to 2 million individuals per square meter in the tundra. Despite a 20-fold biomass difference between the tundra and the tropics, springtail energy use (community metabolism) remains similar across the latitudinal gradient, owing to the changes in temperature with latitude. Neither springtail density nor community metabolism is predicted by local species richness, which is high in the tropics, but comparably high in some temperate forests and even tundra. Changes in springtail activity may emerge from latitudinal gradients in temperature, predation and resource limitation in soil communities. Contrasting relationships of biomass, diversity and activity of springtail communities with temperature suggest that climate warming will alter fundamental soil biodiversity metrics in different directions, potentially restructuring terrestrial food webs and affecting soil functioning.

Brazil is considered a megadiverse country, but the soil fauna is still very poorly known. The aim of this study was to report, for the fi rst time, the abundance and genus composition of terrestrial enchytraeids (Enchytraeidae, Oligochaeta) in Savanna Tall Woodland (Cerradão) and a pasture in Cerrado Biome and in Upper Montane Atlantic Forest and a grassland in Atlantic Forest Biome. The enchytraeid density in Pasture and Cerradao was 2,036 and 18,844 (204 and 2,094, on average) individuals per square meter, respectively. At the Atlantic forest and Grassland, density was 9,666 and 12,242 individuals per square meter (1,075 and 1,471 on average). About genus composition for the studied areas, Enchytraeus and Hemienchytraeus were found in the four ecosystems evaluated, while Tupidrilus and Fridericia were found only in Cerradão and Atlantic Forest, respectively. Achaeta was absent in Upper Montane Atlantic Forest, but dominant in pasture, while Guaranidrilus was absent in Pasture, but predominant in the other ecosystems.

The relationship between the productivity of crops of agricultural interest and their interactions with physicochemical soil properties is widely explored. However, there is still a gap concerning the contribution of biological soil attributes and especially the relationship between crop productivity and the structures of organism communities within the soil, such as the enchytraeids. This paper aimed to evaluate the diversity and structures of enchytraeids communities in subtropical soils and their relationship with soybean productivity and soil properties within a no‐tillage system. This study was conducted in soybean growing grounds working under no‐till farming systems in southern Brazil. Samples were collected according to ISO 23611‐3 and extracted with the hot–wet methodology. The organisms were identified up to their genus level. Enchytraeids density increased with the increase of soybean productivity for both evaluated crops. Enchytraeus, Fridericia, and Hemienchytraeus were more abundant in high productivity and genus Achaeta was only found in the second crop and was not a sensitive indicator toward changes in soybean productivity. Regarding the relationship between the enchytraeid community and soil attributes, the variables clay, phosphorus, moisture contents, pH, Ca/Mg as well as carbon and nitrogen from soil and litter, affected Enchytraeidae distribution. Enchytreids showed significant correlations with soybean productivity in the no‐tillage system for subtropical soils in Brazil, demonstrating potential bioindicators of soil quality and consequently of soybean productivity.

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