Long-term effects of biomass removal on soil mesofaunal communities in northeastern Ontario (Canada) jack pine (Pinus banksiana) stands

•Mesofauna community structure still modified 20 years after biomass harvesting.•Most persistent differences were found after a very intense biomass removal.•Fewer suitable microhabitats by lower ground vegetation, woody debris and moisture.•Oribatida communities remained more altered by harvesting than those of Collembola.