The effect of macrofauna on removal of litter from the soil surface and accumulation of organic matter in the mineral soil layer were studied in two post mining sites planted by alder of different ages (4 and 38 years), using field microcosms, that were either accessible or not to soil macrofauna. The microcosms contained two layers: litter layer (autochthonous alder litter) and mineral layer (clay - spoil material early after mining with low organic matter content). After one year of exposure, no significant effect of macrofauna on total organic carbon loss in whole system (i.e. in both layers pooled) was found. Nevertheless, the distribution of carbon between layers was affected. Macrofauna enhanced C removal from the litter layer and its accumulation in the mineral layer. The accumulation of C in the mineral layer resulted in long term enhancement of microbial biomass and respiration. This indicate that effect of soil fauna on decomposition estimated using litter bags with various mesh size may indicate effect of fauna on litter fragmentation and removal from surface rather than effect on litter mineralization.