Plant species effects on soil macrofauna density in grassy arable fallows of different age

► Single plant species strongly influence the soil macrofauna on the “micro-scale”. ► Fine roots may be a more important food source for gastropod and saprophagous taxa than litter. ► Densities of several macrofauna groups are highest in the medium state of grassland succession. ► Gastropod taxa are an important food source for predatory beetles in fallows.