Red wood Ants (Formica rufa-group) prefer mature pine forests in Variscan granite environments (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Berberich, Gabriele M.; Berberich, Martin B.; Gibhardt, Matthias

doi:10.13133/2284-4880/474

Cited by 5 publications

(56 citation statements)

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“…Mapping of RWA nests followed the area-wide, systematic, reproducible, and integrated approach developed by Berberich et al (Berberich et al 2022a;Berberich 2010). A total of ≈1281 ha were mapped in two inventory campaigns, in 2009 and 2021.…”

Section: Standardized Integrated Mapping Approach and Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this study, we applied similar variable factors as in a previous study (Berberich et al 2022a) that are influenced in a short time frame: 1) total number of nests (ntot), 2) numbers of active nests (nact), 3) number of inactive nests (ninact), 4) NH, 5) ND, 6) nest location, 7) primary tree species (TSprime), 8) secondary tree species (TSsec), 9) medium tree age classes, 10) herbaceous layer, 11) spatial distribution of RWA nests, 12) woodpecker cavities (WpC), and 13) clearing plots. Forest information on ownership type (SF; MF; PF) and medium tree age (mTA) was taken from the most recent forest inventories and management plans of the different forest offices, which contain five general tree age classes: newly planted (<20 years), young (21-40 years), early mature (41-60 years), medium mature (61-80 years), mature (≥81-140 years).…”

Section: Definition Of Variable Site Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For effective protection of RWA, a reliable data base providing scientific evidence of the status quo of RWA occurrences, their increase or decrease, is absolutely necessary. Six factors are important: 1) A scientifically reliable data base of RWA occurrences based on a standardized and comparable mapping approach: The area-wide, standardized, systematic and integrated mapping approach for (re)inventories that we have developed, which also includes a photo database in which each RWA nest and its habitat is documented with at least two photos (e.g., Berberich et al 2022a;Berberich 2010), has shown that a general statement about a RWA decline in Germany, as suggested e.g. by Sturm and Distler (2003), is not tenable for the WEVF.…”

Section: Pre-requisites For (Re-)inventories Of Rwa Nestsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions, or products referred to in the content. 2 2008), controlling of undesirable insects (e.g., Robinson et al 2016), indicating undetected tectonic activity and geogenic gases ("GeoBio-Interactions") that play a critical role in their settlement (Berberich et al 2014(Berberich et al , 2016a(Berberich et al -c, 2018a(Berberich et al ,b, 2019(Berberich et al , 2022a).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Therefore, no statements about a necessary protection status can be made at present. In this re-inventory study, conducted after 12 years in Westeifel Volcanic Field (WEVF), we applied our standardized and integrated mapping approach for RWA, that not only counts the number of RWA nests, but records the coordinates of their location and monitors the entire ecosystem around a RWA nest, e.g., tree species, tree age, herb layer (Berberich et al 2022a). For a comparative analysis of RWAs population dynamics, 12 study sites (total ≈1281 ha) were selected that had to meet the following criteria: a) more than 20 nests in 2009 (Berberich 2010), (b) well defined study site boundaries and c) location within and on the edges of the WEVF.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A Re-Inventory After 12 Years – Increase in Red Wood Ant Nests and Woodpecker Cavities in Nests in the West Eifel Volcanic Field Despite Climatic Changes

Berberich¹,

Berberich²

2023

Preprint

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We re-inventoried red wood ant nests (RWA) in 12 study sites (≈1281 ha) in the Westeifel Volcanic Field, Germany, in an area-wide and integrated ecosystem approach after 12 years. Combined with the re-identification of previously mapped nests using a photo database, this approach leads to more accurate nest counts in (re)inventories. A total increase of nests from 1144 (2009) to 1252 (2021), and a dramatic one for the Heidberg site by 52-fold (2009) and 85-fold (2021) compared to a 1984 inventory was observed, contrasting with earlier postulations of a decline in RWA. Early to medium mature (41-80 years) and mature (³81–140 years) spruce forests were the preferred habitat. Large increase in small nest sizes suggests an increase in new nest settlements also in clearings, despite climate-induced forest dieback over the past decade. A decline in biodiversity in the herbaceous layer was observed; highly proliferating blackberries had no negative impact on RWA nests. Monitoring of woodpecker cavities in RWA nests is suggested as an indirect indicator tool for evaluating populations in forests. Positive ground movement rates caused by the Eifel plume are suggested another factor favoring nest settlements. This study contributes to the urgent update of statistically valid data required to a) effectively substantiate the status-quo of RWA occurrences, b) protect RWA as ecosystem engineers, c) advance understanding of Geo-Bio-Interactions in the wake of climate change, and c) contribute to the German government's Insect Conservation Action Program.

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Section: Standardized Integrated Mapping Approach and Data Collectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Definition Of Variable Site Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Pre-requisites For (Re-)inventories Of Rwa Nestsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

A Re-Inventory After 12 Years – Increase in Red Wood Ant Nests and Woodpecker Cavities in Nests in the West Eifel Volcanic Field Despite Climatic Changes

Berberich¹,

Berberich²

2023

Preprint

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Re-inventories at two study sites in the Oberpfalz (Bavaria, Germany): Increase in RWA nests, herb biodiversity and dead wood in sustainably managed forests

Berberich,

Berberich

2024

Preprint

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The outstanding occurrences of red wood ant nests (RWA; Formica rufa-group) at two study sites in the Oberpfalz, NE Bavaria, Germany, could be confirmed by the 2023 re-inventory (a total of 5,393 nests and an increase by ≈8 %). RWA nests preferred mature and medium mature pine-dominated forests. Standing and downed dead wood do not negatively influence nests. Nest counts with woodpecker cavities and the diversity of the herb layer increased. The highly clustered nests in NW-SE direction suggests a strong interaction between nests distributions and the tectonic environment. Our developed (re-)inventory approach in combination with the comprehensive photo database is a valuable tool for a) monitoring the entire forest habitat including woodpecker cavities and dead wood in, at and around nests, and b) identifying GeoBio-Interactions. Such a comprehensive approach leads to more accurate and realistic counts of RWA nests during (re-)inventories and provides scientific evidence of the status quo of RWA occurrence. Our results disproved the unfounded and scientifically unsubstantiated blanket statement by laymen of the ASW Landesverband Bayern e.V. that RWA nest numbers in the Oberpfalz or even in the entire Bavaria are in sharp decline. We suggest seven to eight years as a suitable time interval for re-inventories.

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A Re-Inventory after 12 Years—Increase in Red Wood Ant Nests and Woodpecker Cavities in Nests in the West Eifel Volcanic Field despite Climatic Changes

Berberich¹,

Berberich²

2023

Forests

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We re-inventoried red wood ant nests (RWA) in 12 study sites (≈1281 ha) in the tectonically active Westeifel Volcanic Field, Germany, in an area-wide and integrated ecosystem approach after 12 years. Combined with the re-identification of previously mapped nests using a photo database, this approach leads to more accurate nest counts in (re)inventories. A total increase in nests from 1144 (2009) to 1252 (2021), and a dramatic one for the Heidberg site by 52-fold (2009) and 85-fold (2021) compared to a 1984 inventory was observed, contrasting with earlier postulations of a decline in RWA. Early to medium mature (41–80 years) and mature (≥81–140 years) spruce forests were the preferred habitat. A large increase in small-sized nests suggests an increase in new nest settlements also in clearings, despite climate-induced forest dieback over the past decade. A decline in biodiversity in the herbaceous layer was observed; highly proliferating blackberries had no negative impact on RWA nests. Monitoring of woodpecker cavities in RWA nests is suggested as an indirect indicator tool for evaluating populations in forests. Positive ground movement rates caused by the Eifel plume are suggested as another factor favoring nest settlements, especially in NE-SW and WNW-ESE directions. This study contributes to the urgent need for updating the statistical data required to (a) effectively substantiate the status quo of RWA occurrences, (b) protect RWA as ecosystem engineers, (c) advance understanding of GeoBio-Interactions in the wake of climate change, and (d) contribute to the German government’s Insect Conservation Action Program.

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Red wood Ants (Formica rufa-group) prefer mature pine forests in Variscan granite environments (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

Cited by 5 publications

References 0 publications

A Re-Inventory After 12 Years – Increase in Red Wood Ant Nests and Woodpecker Cavities in Nests in the West Eifel Volcanic Field Despite Climatic Changes

A Re-Inventory After 12 Years – Increase in Red Wood Ant Nests and Woodpecker Cavities in Nests in the West Eifel Volcanic Field Despite Climatic Changes

Re-inventories at two study sites in the Oberpfalz (Bavaria, Germany): Increase in RWA nests, herb biodiversity and dead wood in sustainably managed forests

A Re-Inventory after 12 Years—Increase in Red Wood Ant Nests and Woodpecker Cavities in Nests in the West Eifel Volcanic Field despite Climatic Changes

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