Fertilization alters the abundance but not the diversity of soil fauna: A meta‐analysis

Abstract Aim Soil fauna, a functionally important group of soil organisms, are greatly affected by fertilization. However, it is still debated whether and how fertilization affects the faunal community. Here, we aimed to synthesize global patterns fauna communities in response terrestrial ecosystems. Location Global. Time period 1997–2021. Major taxa studied fauna. Methods We examined effects on abundance, number groups Shannon diversity synthesizing 1218 observations based 39 published studies. also explored associations between fertilization‐induced changes community microbial properties. Results Fertilization increased abundance 56.3%, without significantly affecting index. The type fertilizer responses were altered climate zones, ecosystem types depths. Both organic organic–mineral treatments most depths, whereas mineral treatment had no such effect. Additionally, found inconsistent among different taxonomic groups, not only at order level but class level, providing evidence for idiosyncratic nature Furthermore, our regression analysis showed that food resources, including nutrients microbes, crucial controls Main conclusions generally scale dependent specific fertilizer. suggest use or fertilizers, rather than increase benefits