Ants disperse seeds farther in habitat patches with corridors

Burt, Melissa A.; Resasco, Julian; Haddad, Nick M.; Whitehead, Susan R.

doi:10.1002/ecs2.4324

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 49 publications

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“…However, ant response to patch size has been shown to vary in some ecosystems like forests (e.g., Mitchell et al, 2002). Apart from larger patches in solar facilities warranting further investigation, recent research suggests that the connectivity of patches can also influence ant-mediated seed dispersal (Burt et al, 2022).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of solar energy development on ants in the Mojave Desert

Grodsky,

Roeder,

Campbell

2023

Ecosphere

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Land‐use change from solar energy development may affect desert ecosystems and the soils, plants, and animals therein, yet our understanding of these interactions is nascent. With their ubiquity, criticality as ecosystem constituents, and sensitivity to environmental variation, ants may be useful study organisms for elucidating ecological effects of solar energy development in deserts. Our objectives were to disentangle the response of a desert ant community to solar energy development decisions and test the efficacy of ants as bioindicators at a solar power facility (392 MW) in the Mojave Desert, USA. We used pitfall traps to collect ants in treatments representing different solar energy development decisions, including variably intense site preparation practices: blading (i.e., bulldozing) and mowing, and establishment of undeveloped patches in solar fields, replicated across three power blocks comprising the facility and in undeveloped control sites surrounding the facility. We determined that ant abundance, species richness, Shannon Diversity Index, and functional richness were lower in bladed treatments than in all other treatments and controls. For most taxonomic and functional ant responses, we detected no difference between nonbladed treatments and controls; these results suggest that less intensive site preparation and increased spatial heterogeneity (i.e., undeveloped patches in solar fields) can reduce the negative effects of solar energy development on desert ants. However, our results indicate that ants may serve as useful bioindicators of the severity of anthropogenic disturbance from solar energy development in deserts, and indicator analysis signifies that solar energy infrastructure may negatively affect some species with high ecological value (e.g., harvester ants). Negative effects of solar energy development on ants can have significant implications for desert ecosystem function and integrity, but conservation‐minded solar facility design and construction may lead to avoidance of “bottom‐up” ecological ramifications of increased solar production during the renewable energy transition.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of solar energy development on ants in the Mojave Desert

Grodsky,

Roeder,

Campbell

2023

Ecosphere

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Hedgerow structural diversity is key to promoting biodiversity and ecosystem services: A systematic review of Central European studies

Kratschmer,

Hauer,

Zaller

et al. 2024

Basic and Applied Ecology

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Ground ants as indicators of biodiversity in cashew agroecosystems in Tanzania

Olotu

2024

Bull Natl Res Cent

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Background Ants are a diverse and ecologically important group of insects that play vital roles in terrestrial ecosystems globally. In agricultural settings, they act as effective biocontrol agents against insect pests. Ants also serve as bioindicators of environmental health, reflecting changes in habitat and pollution. However, research on their diversity and population dynamics in cashew agroecosystems remains limited. Results The sampling was conducted using a pitfall trap that targeted three sampling zones viz., under African weaver ants colonised (AWAC) cashew trees, AWA-uncolonised (AWAUC) ones, and buffer zones (BZ). A total of 14,004 ants from six subfamilies, 18 genera, and 32 species were sampled, with 7,686 sampled during season one and 630 sampled during season two. The study found significant differences in ant populations across sampled zones, which were significantly different in season one (F(2.107) = 5.4; P = 0.01) and season two (F(2.107) = 3.32; P = 0.04). However, more ants were sampled under AWAUC cashew trees compared to AWAC cashew trees and the BZ (F(2.74) = 4.46; P = 0.02) at Nyamato during season one. The Shannon–Wiener diversity index yielded comparable results to Margalef’s species richness index for all three zones, which differed significantly in both seasons at Nyamato and season one at Chambezi. A SIMPER analysis showed an overall dissimilarity of 94.5% at Soga due to the presence of invasive species (Pheidole megacephala and Anoplolepis custodiens) and AWA, which was consistently observed across all the experimental sites. Conclusion The variety and number of ant species in cashew agroecosystems are influenced by several factors, including the presence of dominant ant species and weeding practices. Promoting biodiversity in agricultural ecosystems is crucial for supporting beneficial insect populations and mitigating the risks posed by invasive ant species. Currently, there is no effective bait available for controlling these invasive ant species, indicating a need for further research to develop such bait. This would facilitate the foraging activities of other ant species, including beneficial ones.

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Ants disperse seeds farther in habitat patches with corridors

Cited by 3 publications

References 49 publications

Effects of solar energy development on ants in the Mojave Desert

Effects of solar energy development on ants in the Mojave Desert

Hedgerow structural diversity is key to promoting biodiversity and ecosystem services: A systematic review of Central European studies

Ground ants as indicators of biodiversity in cashew agroecosystems in Tanzania

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