Database for meta-analysis: Reducing tillage intensity benefits the soil micro- and mesofauna in a global meta-analysis.

This dataset includes data extracted from published studies reporting results on the effects of different tillage intensities on soil fauna. The literature was systematically reviewed in compliance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis framework (“PRISMA”). Peer-reviewed publications were searched using the Web of Science search engine, including all available databases with the following search terms: “TOPIC: (tillage OR plough* OR chisel* OR till* OR mouldboard* OR disc* OR tine* OR rotatory OR rotary OR harrow* ) AND (fauna* OR biota* OR organism* OR mesofauna* OR acari OR mite* OR enchytraeid* OR nematod* OR springtail* OR collembola*)“. The resulting database covers 3459 observations from 133 publications published between 1981 and 2020.

Research domain: Ecology of Agricultural Landscapes

Research question: (1) What is the effect of reducing tillage intensity on density and diversity of soil micro- and mesofaunal communities?
(2) What are the main pedoclimatic conditions and concurrent management practices that drive the effects of reducing tillage intensity on soil fauna i.e., fertilization regimes, soil-related (pH, organic matter, texture) and climatic factors?