Ancient human agricultural practices can promote activities of contemporary non-human soil ecosystem engineers: A case study in coastal savannas of French Guiana

► We examined legacies of pre-Columbian land-use on current ecosystem functioning. ► Soil ecosystem engineers were concentrated in ancient raised fields. ► Bioturbation led to accumulation of stable aggregates in raised-field soils. ► Bioturbation reduced the erosion of fine particles from ancient raised fields. ► Soil ecosystem engineers have maintained vestiges of raised fields for centuries.