Effects of Major Disturbances in Different Agricultural Cropping Systems on Soil Macroarthropods

Macroarthropods of barley and perennial grass, lucerne and red clover leys in Sweden and British Columbia were sampled during 1980–1982. The fauna of the perennial crops in both sites diversified during the period as a consequence of natural increase and immigration. Predators such as carabid and staphylinid beetles rapidly moved into fields which previously had been subjected to intensive soil cultivation. Chironomid fly larvae and diplopods were greatly affected by disturbances. Fly larvae recovered rapidly and diplopods slowly. Some benefits of perennial cropping systems are discussed.