Relative importance of tree species richness, tree functional type, and microenvironment for soil macrofauna communities in European forests

Soil fauna communities are major drivers of many forest ecosystem processes. Tree species diversity and composition shape soil communities, but their relationships poorly understood, notably whether or not depends on tree diversity. Here, we characterized macrofauna from forests composed either one three species, located in four different climate zones growing types. Using multivariate analysis model averaging investigated the relative importance richness, functional type (deciduous vs. evergreen), litter quality, microhabitat microclimatic characteristics as community structure. We found that mixed stands were represented by a higher number broad taxonomic groups more diverse evenly represented. also observed switch earthworm-dominated to predator-dominated with increasing evergreen proportion stands, which interpreted result lower quality floor mass. Finally, canopy openness was positively related detritivore abundance biomass, leading predator richness probably through trophic cascade effects. Interestingly, considering levels resolution analyses highlighted facets response likely both ecological niche range methodological constraints. Overall, our study supports positive effects multiple changes resource availability, microhabitat, microclimate modifications.