Earthworm composition, diversity and biomass under three land use systems in south-eastern Australia

•Earthworm composition, diversity and biomass were assessed in three land use systems in south-eastern Australia: native shelterbelts, agricultural pastures and native remnant woodland fragments.•Shelterbelt establishment was associated with a decline in density and biomass of earthworms.•Earthworm biomass and density declined with increasing time after shelterbelt establishment.•Soil chemical variables were not strong predictors of earthworm biomass and density, but could be used to explain overall community composition.