Invasive goldenrods affect abundance and diversity of grassland ant communities (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Abstract

Goldenrods (Solidago sp.) are currently one of the most invasive plant species in Central Europe. They threaten abandoned semi-natural wet grasslands which are extremely vulnerable to plant succession and invasions. We assessed whether Solidago invasion affects ants, keystone organisms essential to proper ecosystem functioning and to the existence of myrmecophilous Phengaris butterflies. Ten meadows containing 60 plots with and without goldenrods were studied. We found a strong, negative dependence between the presence of goldenrod cover and the number of ant nests (more than 50 % reduction compared to control) as well as the number of species, and changes in species composition. Myrmica ants, essential hosts for Phengaris larvae, were among the most affected species by goldenrod invasion. Immediate action should be undertaken for restoration and maintenance of biodiversity hotspots affected by goldenrod invasion.

Ant communities andSolidagoplant invasion: Environmental properties and food sources

“…; Kajzer‐Bonk et al . ). Such changes in invertebrates should yield crucial effects on ant communities, because most invertebrates such as found in our survey are considered the most important source of protein for ants (Pętal , , ; Kajak et al .…”

“…; Kajzer‐Bonk et al . ), but no potential mechanisms responsible for such changes have been described before. Here, we propose some possible mechanisms for the observed changes in the ant community, but our findings are based on correlations between some components of the ant community and a few environmental factors observed in the field.…”

“…; Kajzer‐Bonk et al . ). Due to their specific ecological requirements, ants are among the most affected invertebrates (Lenda et al .…”

Relative Contribution of Matrix Structure, Patch Resources and Management to the Local Densities of Two Large Blue Butterfly Species

“…Nowicki et al [49] did not observe the effect of host plants on the abundance of both species, as the density of this plant in their study was high. However, the habitat quality in the studied meadow complex has changed due to prolonged meadow abandonment and goldenrod invasion [53], and in some sites, S . officinalis is no longer super-abundant.…”

“…nausithous butterfly metapopulations to date [49]. This habitat is endangered by the abandonment of traditional agriculture and subsequent invasion of goldenrods [53] as well as by the expansion of settlements. The second complex is located in the vicinity of Tarnów (50°04’N, 21°03’E).…”