Harvester ant nests, soil biota and soil chemistry

Abstract

Many ant species accumulate organic debris in the vicinity of their nests. These organic materials should provide a rich resource base for the soil biota. We examined the effect of harvester ant nests (Pogonomyrmex barbatus) on the soil community and soil chemistry. Ant nest soils supported 30-fold higher densities of microarthropods and 5-fold higher densities of protozoa than surrounding, control soils. The relative abundances of the major groups of protozoa differed as well: amoebae and ciliates were relatively overrepresented, and flagellates underrepresented, in ant nest versus control soils. Densities of bacteria and fungi were similar in the two soil types. Concentrations of nitrate, ammonium, phosphorus, and potassium were significantly higher in ant nest soils, while concentrations of magnesium, calcium, and water were similar in nest and control soils. Ant nest soils were marginally more acidic than controls. The results demonstrate that P. barbatus nests constitute a significant source of spatial heterogeneity in soil biota and soil chemistry in arid grasslands.

The mixed effects of experimental ant removal on seedling distribution, belowground invertebrates, and soil nutrients

“…Ants prey upon soil-and litter-dwelling invertebrates, and, at least in come cases, affect the abundance of particular soil taxa and the composition of soil communities (Wagner et al 1997, Laakso 1999, Laakso and Setala 2000, Lenoir et al 2003, Wilson 2005, MoyaLorano and Wise 2007, Wardle et al 2011, Sanders and Frank van Veen 2011. Ants may indirectly influence soil nutrients by suppressing populations of microbe-feeding mites and Collembolans.…”

“…Changes in community composition and the abundance of key mesofaunal species can indirectly influence soil nutrient dynamics (Seastedt 1984, Seastedt and Coleman 1984, Coleman et al 2004, most likely slowing rates of decomposition and nutrient flux. Ants can also accelerate some processes related to soil nutrients by aerating soil, shifting soil profiles, and altering soil chemical properties by translocating soil material during nest building and accumulating excreta and food refuse in or near the nest (Culver and Beattie 1983, De Bruyn and Conacher 1990, Wagner et al 1997.…”

The ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) communities of the central interior of British Columbia: Adaptations to a temperature-constrained environment.

“…In these studies, ants have been shown to to play a role in seed dispersal (Gorn et al 2000;Heithaus 1981), grain consumption (Brown et al 1979), decomposition (Haines 1978), defoliation (Cherrett 1968) and soil nutrient turnover (Wagner et al 1997;Nkem 2000;Risch et al 2005). Although some of these functions may also occur in higher latitude coniferous forests, for example, soil nutrient turnover (Frouz et al 2003), two specific ecological roles have been well established in ecosystems more typical of this province.…”

“…In addition to pest control (Finnegan 1974;Torgersen and Mason 1987;Way and Khoo 1992), these include soil-nutrient turnover (Wagner et al 1997), seed dispersal (Heithaus 1981;Gorn et al 2000), grain consumption (Brown et al 1979), and decomposition of organic material (Haines 1978). Ants have also been found to be an important food source for birds and large omnivorous vertebrates such as black (Noyce et al 1997) and grizzly bears (Elgmork and Unander 1999;Swenson et al 1999).…”

Chemical properties of forest soils as affected by nests of Myrmica ruginodis (Formicidae)

“…Nest-building ants extensively modify the physical and chemical properties of soil (Dlusskij 1967;Petal 1978Petal , 1991Lobry de Bruyn & Conacher 1990;Lobry de Bruyn 1999;Nkem et al 2000), and create specific and patchy environments for other soil biota and plants (Petal 1978(Petal , 1991Wang et al 1995;Laakso & Setala 1997;Wagner et al 1997;Dauber et al 2006). The effect of ants on soil structure and nutrient enrichment, however, is highly variable (Dlusskij 1967;Petal 1978Petal , 1991Lobry de Bruyn & Conacher 1990;Lobry de Bruyn 1999).…”