Abstract: Investigations on soil animal communities in major industrial areas of Xiangjiang River Basin demonstrate that in croplands close to pollution source and abundant in polluted substances, the kinds and amounts of soil animals are distinctly decreased.The pollution of croplands is mainly caused by the accumulation of heavy metals in soil. Through in vestigations, 29 kinds of soil animals are collected, which can be divided into 10 clas ses belonging to 4 phyla. As pollution degree goes up, the kinds and amounts of soil animals are decreased.The density of soil animals has much to do with the concentration of such heavy metal elements as Hg, Cd, Zn, Cu, As and Pb existing in soil , which has been further proved in simulated experiments of soil pollution.

Key words: Soil animals, Soil pollution, Agro-ecosystem, Pollution source