Ants can exert a diverse effect on soil carbon and nitrogen pools in a Xishuangbanna tropical forest

Wang, Shaojun; Hong, Wei; Li, Jihang; Zhang, Zhe

doi:10.1016/j.soilbio.2017.05.027

Cited by 20 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…To date, the few studies that have examined the impacts of ants on quality and quantity of dissolved organic matter have been conducted on Formica (Stadler, Schramm, & Kalbitz, ) and Lasius ant species (Bierbass, Gutknecht, & Michalzik, ) or underground nesting ant species (Wang, Wang, Li, & Zhang, ), and not on leaf‐cutter ants. These studies found that the presence of ants affects the amount and chemical composition of dissolved organic matter.…”

Section: Knowledge Gap 5—transport Of Dissolved Organic Mattermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These studies found that the presence of ants affects the amount and chemical composition of dissolved organic matter. Investigating the soil biogeochemistry of several underground nesting ants in a tropical forest, Wang et al () found that ant nest soils (0–15 cm) had higher dissolved organic nitrogen concentrations then reference soils. Differences in dissolved organic nitrogen concentrations between underground nesting ant species are related to feeding strategy of the honeydew‐collecting species and plant root aphids, compared to ant species feeding on plants or insect detritus (Wang et al, ).…”

Section: Knowledge Gap 5—transport Of Dissolved Organic Mattermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Investigating the soil biogeochemistry of several underground nesting ants in a tropical forest, Wang et al () found that ant nest soils (0–15 cm) had higher dissolved organic nitrogen concentrations then reference soils. Differences in dissolved organic nitrogen concentrations between underground nesting ant species are related to feeding strategy of the honeydew‐collecting species and plant root aphids, compared to ant species feeding on plants or insect detritus (Wang et al, ). This suggests that dissolved organic matter is strongly dependent on the chemical properties of the organic material that the ant species collect (Ehrle et al, ; Stadler et al, ; Wang et al, ).…”

Section: Knowledge Gap 5—transport Of Dissolved Organic Mattermentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Differences in dissolved organic nitrogen concentrations between underground nesting ant species are related to feeding strategy of the honeydew‐collecting species and plant root aphids, compared to ant species feeding on plants or insect detritus (Wang et al, ). This suggests that dissolved organic matter is strongly dependent on the chemical properties of the organic material that the ant species collect (Ehrle et al, ; Stadler et al, ; Wang et al, ). In the yellow ant Lasius flavus, higher dissolved organic carbon was associated with the import of easily decomposable honeydew via trophobiosis from honeydew‐producing root aphids (Bierbass et al, ; Ehrle et al, ).…”

Section: Knowledge Gap 5—transport Of Dissolved Organic Mattermentioning

confidence: 99%

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Welcome to the Atta world: A framework for understanding the effects of leaf‐cutter ants on ecosystem functions

et al. 2019

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Leaf‐cutter ants are a prominent feature in Neotropical ecosystems, but a comprehensive assessment of their effects on ecosystem functions is lacking. We reviewed the literature and used our own recent findings to identify knowledge gaps and develop a framework to quantify the effects of leaf‐cutter ants on ecosystem processes. Leaf‐cutter ants disturb the soil structure during nest excavation changing soil aeration and temperature. They mix relatively nutrient‐poor soil from deeper layers with the upper organic‐rich layers increasing the heterogeneity of carbon and nutrients within nest soils. Leaf‐cutter ants account for about 25% of all herbivory in Neotropical forest ecosystems, moving 10%–15% of leaves in their foraging range to their nests. Fungal symbionts transform the fresh, nutrient‐rich vegetative material to produce hyphal nodules to feed the ants. Organic material from roots and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi enhances carbon and nutrient turnover in nest soils and creates biogeochemical hot spots. Breakdown of organic matter, microbial and ant respiration, and nest waste material decomposition result in increased CO2, CH4, and N2O production, but the build‐up of gases and heat within the nest is mitigated by the tunnel network ventilation system. Nest ventilation dynamics are challenging to measure without bias, and improved sensor systems would likely solve this problem. Canopy gaps above leaf‐cutter ant nests change the light, wind and temperature regimes, which affects ecosystem processes. Nests differ in density and size depending on colony age, forest type and disturbance level and change over time resulting in spatial and temporal changes of ecosystem processes. These characteristics remain a challenge to evaluate rapidly and non‐destructively. Addressing the knowledge gaps identified in this synthesis will bring insights into physical and biological processes driving biogeochemical cycles at the nest and ecosystem scale and will improve our understanding of ecosystem biogeochemical heterogeneity and larger scale ecological phenomena. A plain language summary is available for this article.

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Section: Knowledge Gap 5—transport Of Dissolved Organic Mattermentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Knowledge Gap 5—transport Of Dissolved Organic Mattermentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Knowledge Gap 5—transport Of Dissolved Organic Mattermentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Knowledge Gap 5—transport Of Dissolved Organic Mattermentioning

confidence: 99%

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Welcome to the Atta world: A framework for understanding the effects of leaf‐cutter ants on ecosystem functions

et al. 2019

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“…Quantifying honeydew can give us a better understanding of food webs and nutrient fluxes in particular ecosystems [ 9 , 10 , 12 , 87 ]. For example, ant manure is emerging as a major driver of nutrient exchange, with the availability of honeydew both increasing ant manure rates [ 88 ] and altering the nutrients available [ 89 ]. The increased nutrient deposition may be advantageous for the plant, but then must be offset against the amount that the hemipteran is consuming from the plant [ 90 ], which can be estimated with our method.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development and testing of a standardized method to estimate honeydew production

et al. 2018

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Honeydew production by Hemiptera is an ecologically important process that facilitates mutualisms and increases nutrient cycling. Accurate estimates of the amount of honeydew available in a system are essential for quantifying food web dynamics, energy flow, and the potential growth of sooty mould that inhibits plant growth. Despite the importance of honeydew, there is no standardized method to estimate its production when intensive laboratory testing is not feasible. We developed two new models to predict honeydew production, one based on insect body mass and taxonomic family, and one based on body mass and life stage. We tested the accuracy of both models’ predictions for a diverse range of honeydew-producing hemipteran families (Aphididae, Pseudococcidae, Coccidae, Psyllidae, Aleyrodidae, Delphacidae, Cicadellidae). The method based on body mass and family provided more accurate estimates of honeydew production, due to large variation in honeydew production among families. We apply our methodology to a case study, the recalculation of honeydew available to invasive red imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta) in the United States. We find that the amount of honeydew may be an order of magnitude lower than that previously estimated (2.16 versus 21.6 grams of honeydew per day) and discuss possible reasons for the difference. We anticipate that being able to estimate honeydew production based on minimal biological information will have applications to agriculture, invasion biology, forestry, and carbon farming.

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Ant nests effect on organic matter, carbon, and nitrogen flux in the soil under grasses tufts in Lamto savannah (Côte d'Ivoire)

Ouattara

Yeo

Kouakou

et al. 2023

Agrosystems Geosci & Env

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Ants are known to contribute to the physical and chemical improvement of the soil. In this context, the hypothesis put forward is that ants improve the nitrogen (N) supplementation necessary to ensure the high primary production measured in the Lamto savannah. Recent investigations in the humid savannah ecosystem showed that ant nests’ association with perennial grasses enhances their growth, productivity, and microorganism activity. This study aimed at understanding the effect of ant nests on organic matter (OM), carbon (C), and N flux beneath grass tufts. Under each grass tuft chosen to carry out this study, soil samples were taken from the depths of 0–10 cm using an auger at shrubby, clear grassy, and transitional grassy savannah. The analytical method by incineration of the loss on fire was used to determine the OM amount. The Kjeldahl method was used to determine the total N amount in the soil under grass tufts. The results showed that these components’ amount is higher beneath grass tufts associated with ant nests than those not associated with ant nests. The presence of ant nests increases OM and C amount in the soil under Hyparrhenia diplandra tufts than Andropogon schirensis, and Loudetia simplex tufts. In contrast, N amount is higher under L. simplex tufts than A. schirensis; but mean under H. diplandra. The carbon/nitrogen ratios less than 10 indicate high OM mineralization under grass tufts associated with ant nests. This provides the plants with an adequate supply of nutrients.

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Ants can exert a diverse effect on soil carbon and nitrogen pools in a Xishuangbanna tropical forest

Cited by 20 publications

References 23 publications

Welcome to the Atta world: A framework for understanding the effects of leaf‐cutter ants on ecosystem functions

Welcome to the Atta world: A framework for understanding the effects of leaf‐cutter ants on ecosystem functions

Development and testing of a standardized method to estimate honeydew production

Ant nests effect on organic matter, carbon, and nitrogen flux in the soil under grasses tufts in Lamto savannah (Côte d'Ivoire)

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