Photo of fire ants. Photo by Bart Drees, Professor and Extension Entomologist, Texas A&M University.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Scientists Find How Density of Ants Relates to Ecosystem
Scientists at the University of Exeter found that ants have two great effects on the environment, by being both ‘ecosystem engineers' and predators. The scientists studied the impact of different combinations and densities of black garden ants (Lasius niger) and common red ants (Myrmica rubra). They found the ants affect the nutrients within the soil as they move the soil for colony construction and the ants prey on a wide range of other animals, including larger animals. These scientists found that a low population of ants within an area, increased the diversity and density of other animals, particularly herbivores and decomposers. However when the ants were at higher populations, they had no or opposite effects on the presence of other animals. This demonstrates the possibility that ant predation could cause a decrease in other animal species, which could have a negative effect on the ecosystem.
Photo of fire ants. Photo by Bart Drees, Professor and Extension Entomologist, Texas A&M University.
Photo of fire ants. Photo by Bart Drees, Professor and Extension Entomologist, Texas A&M University.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Interesting, very interesting. Makes sense when one looks at the bigger picture.
Nice work. I came across your blog while “blog surfing” using the Next Blog button on the blue Nav Bar located at the top of my blogger.com site. I frequently just travel around looking for other blogs which exist on the Internet, and the various, creative ways in which people express themselves. Thanks for sharing.
Post a Comment