The effect of two ant species Lasius niger and Lasius flavus on soil properties in two contrasting habitats |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Institute of Soil Biology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Na Sádkách 7, České Budějovice, CZ 337005, Czech Republic;2. Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of J.E. Purkyně in Ústí nad Labem, Králova výšina 7, 40096, Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic;3. Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Na sádkách 7, 370005, České Budějovice, Czech Republic;1. Laboratoire GEPV – CNRS, UMR 8198 Université des Sciences et Technologies de Lille1, Villeneuve d’Ascq, France;2. Laboratoire d’Ecologie des Hydrosystèmes Naturels et Anthropisés (LEHNA) – CNRS, UMR 5023 Université Lyon1, Villeurbanne, France;3. IRBI, Institut de Recherche sur la Biologie de l’Insecte, Université François Rabelais, UMR CNRS 7261, Tours, France;1. Service d’Ecologie Sociale CP 231, Université Libre de Bruxelles, 50 avenue F. Rossevelt, B-1050 Bruxelles, Belgium;2. UMR 6552 ETHOS, University of Rennes 1, CNRS Biological Station, 35380 Paimpont, France;1. Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, IPHC UMR 7178, F-67000 Strasbourg, France;2. Université Libre de Bruxelles, CPBT, CP231, Av. F. Roosevelt 50, 1050 Bruxelles, Belgium;1. Soil Science, Institute for Geography, University of Jena, Löbdergraben 32, 07743 Jena, Germany;2. Department of Soil Ecology, Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ, Theodor-Lieser-Straße 4, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany;1. Institute of Northeast Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Science, Changchun 130012, China;2. School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences, Louisiana State Univ. Agricultural Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA;3. College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&G University, Yangling 712100, China |
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| Abstract: | Ants significantly change the soil environment within the nest. The aim of this study is to contribute to ecology and thus the importance of two ant species Lasius niger and Lasius flavus in a post-mining landscape near the town of Sokolov in northwest Bohemia where both species are common. Chemical (total C, N, and available P) and microbiological parameters (respiration, cellulose decomposition and direct counts of bacteria) were investigated in both ant species in two different habitats: a tertiary clay heap after brown coal mining with a weakly developed organic layer and semi natural meadows with well developed organic horizons. Total C and N in the L. flavus mound was lower than in the surrounding soil in both stands, the same was true for total N in L. niger on the heaps. L. niger nests in both sites were significantly enriched by available P. A litter bag test with cellulose indicated lower decomposition in the ant nest in comparison with the surrounding soil. Respiration seems to be limited by lower soil moisture in the nest. However, microbial respiration, even in suitable moisture conditions, did not differ between the nest and soil (on heaps) or nest respiration was significantly lower (in L. flavus nests in the meadow). In meadow soil both species had a lower bacteria count than the surrounding soil, but the L. niger nest on the heap had higher bacterial numbers. Both species significantly alter soil conditions, although the effect on selected parameters is variable. Moreover, the result with lower nest moisture and lower decomposition rate in ant mounds indicates that soil moisture should be the next important factor limiting soil processes inside ant mounds. |
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