We examined the soil macrofaunal community responses to sugarcane expansion from pasturelands.

Macrofaunal abundance decreases 89% and diversity of macrofauna groups deceases 39% when sugarcane replaces pasture.

Termites and earthworms largely dominate the macrofaunal community in PA soils.

Ants and coleopteran insects become the most abundant groups when land use is changed to SC.

This study draws attention for a significant biodiversity loss belowground due to bioenergy crop expansion in the tropics.