Dataset for meta-analysis on the effects of nitrogen fertilization on nematodes, springtails, mites and earthworms.

This dataset includes data extracted from published studies that compare soil faunal communities under inorganic or organic nitrogen fertilization with unfertilized controls. The literature was systematically reviewed in compliance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis framework (“PRISMA”). Peer-reviewed publications reporting results on the effects of N fertilization on soil fauna were searched using the Web of Science search engine, including all available databases with the following search terms: “(earthworm OR acari OR mite OR springtail OR collembola OR nematode OR fauna) AND (fertilis* OR fertiliz* OR amendment*)“. The resulting database covers 3826 observations from 132 publications published between 1979 and 2020.

Research question: What is the response of soil fauna to nitrogen fertilization in global agroecosystems? What are the main pedoclimatic conditions and management practices that drive the response of soil fauna to nitrogen fertilization i.e., different types of fertilizer (organic and inorganic), fertilization regimes, soil factors (pH, organic matter, texture) and climatic factors?