Microclimate and mining stresses the diversity of earthworms and further impact the regeneration of forests along the Rio Doce

Soil structure, along with the fauna and plant biodiversity it sustains, can be affected by various factors, including both natural and human-induced disturbances such as climate fluctuations and mining activities. Earthworms are ecosystem engineers highly affected by these changes in soil conditions. In the present study, we evaluated earthworm community in different climatic periods and their impact on plant diversity in a region affected by mining tailings. Earthworm diversity was significantly higher during the period of higher precipitation, both in areas affected by mining tailings and in reference sites. Additionally, the composition of earthworm species was impacted, showing predominantly gains despite the influence of mining waste. The total and invasive abundance of earthworms was linked to greater plant diversity in the regenerating stratum of reference sites but not in areas impacted by mining waste. These findings highlight the potential consequences of climate change and mining disasters on earthworm communities, as well as on ecosystem structure and dynamics. Moreover, they underscore the environmental impacts of the world's largest mining disaster on earthworm diversity within one of the planet's key biodiversity hotspots, emphasizing the urgent need for improved recovery strategies.