Soils of contaminated agro systems represent potential arable land surfaces for the production
of non-alimentary crops. The aim of this study is to monitor changes in belowground
biodiversity (Collembola), potentially occurring following establishment of
perennial biomass crop systems on contaminated agricultural land. We selected, within an
agricultural trial, two different biomass crops, miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus) and
switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and an annual wheat crop (Triticum sp.) used as a control.
About 20-fold more individuals were found under miscanthus and switchgrass than under
wheat. The highest mean number of species was found under miscanthus being 30%
greater than in switchgrass and 424% than in annual wheat. Furthermore, abundance and
species richness of the three collembolan life-forms (epedaphic, hemiedaphic, and euedaphic)
differed between the crops leading to distinctly different assemblages.
On metal contaminated soils, perennial bioenergy crops have the potential to increase
belowground faunal diversity and abundance with the identity of crops as a critical factor
driving soil animal assemblages.