Abstract: To explore ecological features of the soil fauna in the forest belt around Shanghai, a systematical investigation was carried out centered on 9 sample plots of camphor woods in the forest belt of Shanghai in November 2010. A total of 5792 soil animal individuals were collected, belonging to 26 groups of 12 classes under  6 phyla. The dominant species were Rotatoria, Turbellaria, Nematoda, Acarina and Collembola. The findings indicate that the impacts of regional environment and history of the establishment were significant on population density of the soil animals. The highest density was found in soils of the rural-urban fringe area, while the lowest one was in soils of the industrial areas. The earlier the industrial area was established, the lower the soil animal density was. In soil profiles, the animals tended to live in the surface soil layer. No specific regularity was found on similarity of animal communities between different sample plots, but regional environment showed certain influence on the similarity. And the difference in soil animal diversity was significant between different regions and between areas different in establishment history, too. In the urban area, the earlier the forest belt was established the higher its biodiversity was, while in industrial areas, it was just the opposite. In short, regional environment does have certain impact on survival of soil animal, but the establishment of the outer circle forest belt helps reduce the discrepancy of different areas and create a suitable habitat for soil animals. 

Key words: Shanghai forest belt, soil fauna, community, diversity index, hierarchical cluster