Leaf-cutting ants and Brazilian savanna : impact or exclusion?
Leaf-cutting ants and Brazilian savanna : impact or exclusion?
The impact of leaf-cutting ants (Atta spp., Hymenoptera, Formicidae) on Brazilian savannahs and their relationship with the vegetation physiognomy and the ant community structure were studied, in order to acquire a better knowledge of their role in natural ecosystems.
Leaf-cutting ants had a minor effect on the plant community structure and had no significant impact on either soil characteristics or nutrient cycling. The observed alterations, though, were limited to the nest areas, and leaf-cutting ants are not expected to cause drastic changes at the community level, especially in natural and mature ecosystems, where their nest density is usually very low. They may possess, however, a significant role in succession of natural communities, as leaf-cutting ants are very abundant in initial stages of succession.
Their absence from some sites of Brazilian savannah was attributed to three main factors: disturbance, plant community structure and presence of dominant arboreal ants. Several other factors that may prevent the leaf-cutting ants from establishing their nests were discussed, and a graphic model of these is presented.
The data and conclusions were utilised to suggest two main areas for future research in Brazilian ecosystems: the use of the above factors in the control of leaf-cutting ant pest species, and the use of ants as bio-indicators of vegetation disturbance.
University of Southampton
Schroereder, José Henqique
1995
Schroereder, José Henqique
Schroereder, José Henqique
(1995)
Leaf-cutting ants and Brazilian savanna : impact or exclusion?
University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.
Record type:
Thesis
(Doctoral)
Abstract
The impact of leaf-cutting ants (Atta spp., Hymenoptera, Formicidae) on Brazilian savannahs and their relationship with the vegetation physiognomy and the ant community structure were studied, in order to acquire a better knowledge of their role in natural ecosystems.
Leaf-cutting ants had a minor effect on the plant community structure and had no significant impact on either soil characteristics or nutrient cycling. The observed alterations, though, were limited to the nest areas, and leaf-cutting ants are not expected to cause drastic changes at the community level, especially in natural and mature ecosystems, where their nest density is usually very low. They may possess, however, a significant role in succession of natural communities, as leaf-cutting ants are very abundant in initial stages of succession.
Their absence from some sites of Brazilian savannah was attributed to three main factors: disturbance, plant community structure and presence of dominant arboreal ants. Several other factors that may prevent the leaf-cutting ants from establishing their nests were discussed, and a graphic model of these is presented.
The data and conclusions were utilised to suggest two main areas for future research in Brazilian ecosystems: the use of the above factors in the control of leaf-cutting ant pest species, and the use of ants as bio-indicators of vegetation disturbance.
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Published date: 1995
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Local EPrints ID: 458635
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/458635
PURE UUID: 617c739e-7954-4076-85da-1041320203b0
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Date deposited: 04 Jul 2022 16:52
Last modified: 04 Jul 2022 16:52
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Author:
José Henqique Schroereder
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