Journal
FORESTS
Volume 13, Issue 5, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/f13050764
Keywords
Formica polyctena; myrmecochory; diaspore; seed dispersal; ant-plant interaction
Categories
Funding
- Forest Research Institute [900612]
- Polish Ministry of Education and Science
Ask authors/readers for more resources
This study compares the species composition of seedlings germinated on abandoned Formica polyctena nests with active nests and the forest floor composition. The results suggest that abandoned nests can serve as regeneration niches, ensuring genetic diversity in plant populations.
We compared the species composition of seedlings germinated on ten recently abandoned Formica polyctena nests with the plant species on active nests and the plant species composition of the forest floor around the nests. Compared to no plants at all, when the nests were inhabited, seedlings of 12 different vascular plant species germinated on the nests after their abandonment. Four of them were myrmecochorous, of which two occurred only on the nests. After abandonment, ant activity ceases, the water content of the nests increases, and decomposition of the organic nest material is accelerated, resulting in faster nutrient mineralization. Consequently, more nutrients are available for plants. Our results suggest that abandoned nests can serve as regeneration niches, ensuring genetic diversity, especially in plant populations which rely mainly on vegetative propagation. However, more research on a larger scale is needed to assess the role of wood ants and their abandoned nests in forest vegetation development.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available