Abstract: Soil fauna is an important bioindicator of soil health, with significant impacts on ecosystem structure and function. It is essential to investigate how farmland cultivation practices affect the distribution and diversity of soil fauna in the black soil area in Northeast China. In this study, we collated data from literature published during 1992 and 2024. A meta-analysis was conducted to examine the effects of two farmland cultivation practices, conservation tillage and organic material addition, on soil fauna in the black soil region. Furthermore, we used the inverse distance interpolation method to create a spatial distribution map of soil fauna in the black soil region. The results showed that: (1) cultivation practices had a positive effect on the density and diversity index of macro, meso, and microfauna. The density and diversity index of macrofauna increased by 54% and 21%, respectively, while those of meso, and microfauna increased by 56% and 17%, respectively. (2) The distribution of earthworms was more common in the east region and less common in the west region of the black soil area. Mites and collembola were more common in the northwest region and less common in the southeast region. Nematodes showed a distribution pattern of gradually increasing from south region to north region. (3) The distribution of soil fauna was influenced by soil pH, soil moisture, and longitude and latitude. The density of earthworms, mites and collembola gradually decreased with the increases of longitude, while the density of mites and collembola gradually increased with the increases of latitude. In conclusion, agricultural cultivation measures are significant factors influencing the distribution and diversity of soil fauna in the black soil region. Protective tillage and the addition of organic materials can improve the structure of soil fauna communities, provide suitable living environments for soil fauna, and enhance the health and biodiversity of farmland soils.

Key words: Northeast China, farmland cultivation measure, soil fauna, black soil, meta-analysis