Skip to main content

Plant community dynamics in arid lands: the role of desert ants

Journal of Arid Land volume 13, pages 303–316 (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

Ants (Formicidae, Hymenoptera) play an important role in seed bank, seedling establishment and plant composition of arid ecosystems. Thus, knowing plant-ant interaction provides useful information for managers to design restoration and conservation plans. In this study, the roles of desert harvester ants (Messor intermedius and Messor melancholicus) and scavenger ants (Cataglyphis nodus and Lepisiota semenovi) on plant communities were investigated in arid ecosystems of southeastern Iran. Two vegetation types were distinguished in the study area and the nest density of ant species was determined. Furthermore, plant composition and soil seed bank were estimated at different distances from the ant nests. Results showed that the density of M. intermedius and M. melancholicus nests was higher in dwarf shrub-shrub vegetation type and the density of C. nodus and L. semenovi nests was higher in dwarf shrub vegetation type. The harvester and scavenger ants had enhanced the seed bank to 55% and 70%, respectively. Therefore, the role of scavenger ants on the plant communities’ seed bank was greater than that of harvester ants. Although the scavenger ants were more influential on the annuals and the invasive plant species, the radius impact of the harvester ants on the perennials was greater, i.e., a positive interaction existed between the perennial plants and the harvester ants. C. nodus and L. semenovi played an important role in enhancing the ecosystem’s potential for restoration through establishment of pioneer species in early stage of succession. The activity of M. intermedius is crucial for the development and maintenance of climax plant communities in arid ecosystems through assisting the plant species’ establishment in late stage of succession. It is essential to preserve the diversity of these key ant species for the maintenance and sustainability of shrubs in arid ecosystems.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

References

  • Abe T, Higashi M. 2001. Isoptera. In: Levin S A. Encyclopedia of Biodiversity. Waltham: Academic Press, 408–433.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Almeida F S, Elizalde L, Maria L M S, et al. 2019. The effects of two abundant ant species on soil nutrients and seedling recruitment in Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Revista Brasileira de Entomologia, 63(4): 296–301.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Amiri F, Ariapour A, Fadai S. 2008. Effects of livestock grazing on vegetation composition and soil moisture properties in grazed and non-grazed range site. Journal of Biological Sciences, 8: 1289–1297.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson J M. 1995. Soil organisms as engineers: microsite modulation of macroscale processes. In: Jones C G, Lawton J H. Linking Species and Ecosystems. London: Chapman and Hall, 94–106.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Arnan X, Retana J, Rodrigo A, et al. 2010. Foraging behaviour of harvesting ants determines seed removal and dispersal. Insectes Sociaux, 57: 421–430.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arnol’di K V. 1977. Review of the harvester ants of the genus Messor (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in the fauna of the USSR. Zoologichesky Zhurnal, 56: 1637–1648.

    Google Scholar 

  • Azcárate F, Arqueros L, Sánchez A, et al. 2005. Seed and fruit selection by harvester ants, Messor barbarus, in Mediterranean grassland and scrubland. Functional Ecology, 19(2): 273–283.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berg-Binder M C, Suarez A V. 2012. Testing the directed dispersal hypothesis: are native ant mounds (Formica sp.) favorable microhabitats for an invasive plant? Oecologia, 169: 763–772.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bestelmeyer B, Wiens J. 2003. Scavenging ant foraging behavior and variation in the scale of nutrient redistribution among semi-arid grasslands. Journal of Arid Environments, 53(3): 373–386.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bolker B M, Brooks M E, Clark C J, et al. 2009. Generalized linear mixed models: a practical guide for ecology and evolution. Trends in Ecology and Evolution, 24(3): 127–135.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Boulay R, Carro F, Soriguer R C, et al. 2007. Synchrony between fruit maturation and effective dispersers’ foraging activity increases seed protection against seed predators. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, 274(1625): 2515–2522.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown G, Scherber C, Ramos J P, et al. 2012. The effects of harvester ant (Messor ebeninus Forel) nests on vegetation and soil properties in a desert dwarf shrub community in north-eastern Arabia. Flora, 207(7): 503- 511.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brullé G A. 1833. Insects. In: Bory de Saint-Vincent J B G M. Morea Scientific Expedition, Physical Sciences Section. Zoology and Botany. Paris: Berge-Levrault, 289–336. (in French)

    Google Scholar 

  • Cammerat L H, Willott S J, Compton S G, et al. 2002. The effects of ants’ nests on the physical, chemical & hydrological properties of a rangeland soil in semi-arid Spain. Geoderma, 105(1–2): 1–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chaideftou E, Thanos C A, Bergmeier E, et al. 2009. Seed bank composition and above-ground vegetation in response to grazing in sub-Mediterranean oak forests (NW Greece). Plant Ecology, 201: 255–265.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Costa A N, Vasconcelos H L, Vieira-Neto E, et al. 2008. Do herbivores exert top-down effects in neotropical savannas? Estimates of biomass consumption by leaf-cutter ants. Journal of Vegetation Science, 19(6): 849–854.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crawford C S. 1981. Biology of Desert Invertebrates. Berlin: Springer, 300.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Crist T O, MacMahon J A. 1992. Harvester ant foraging and shrub-steppe seeds: interactions of seed resources and seed use. Ecology, 73(5): 1768–1779.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Csata E, Dussutour A. 2019. Nutrient regulation in ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): a review. Myrmecological News, 29: 111–124.

    Google Scholar 

  • de Almeida T, Blight O, Mesléard F, et al. 2020. Harvester ants as ecological engineers for Mediterranean grassland restoration: Impacts on soil and vegetation. Biological Conservation, 245: 108547.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Detrain C, Pasteels J. 2000. Seed preferences of the harvester ant Messor barbarus in a Mediterranean mosaic grassland (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Sociobiology, 35(1): 35–48.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dodson E K, Burton J I, Puettmann K J. 2014. Multiscale controls on natural regeneration dynamics after partial overstory removal in Douglas-fir forests in western Oregon, USA. Forest Science, 60(5): 953–961.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dostal P, Breznova M, Kozlıckova V, et al. 2005. Ant-induced soil modification and its effect on plant below-ground biomass. Pedobiologia, 49(2): 127–137.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Eldridge D J, Oliver I, Val J, et al. 2020. Grazing and aridity have contrasting effects on the functional and taxonomic diversity of ants. Basic and Applied Ecology, 48: 73–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erkkilä J B, Heli M. 1998. Seed banks of grazed and ungrazed Baltic seashore meadows. Journal of Vegetation Science, 9(3): 395–408.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Espadaler X, Gomez C. 1996. Seed production, predation and dispersal in the Mediterranean myrmecochore Euphorbia characias (Euphorbiaceae). Ecography, 19(1): 7–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fagundes M, Weisser W, Ganade G. 2018. The role of nurse successional stages on species-specific facilitation in drylands: Nurse traits and facilitation skills. Ecology and Evolution, 8(10): 5173–5184.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farji-Brener A G, Gianoli E, Molina-Montenegro M A. 2009. Small-scale disturbances spread along trophic chains: leaf-cutting ant nests, plants, aphids and tending ants. Ecological Research, 24(1): 139–145.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farji-Brener A G, Werenkraut V. 2015. A meta-analysis of leaf-cutting ant nest effects on soil fertility and plant performance. Ecological Entomology, 40(2): 150–158.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Flowers B, Huang K T. 2020. Analysis of the habitat fragmentation of ecosystems in Belize using landscape metrics. Sustainability, 12(7): 3024.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Folgarait P. 1998. Ant biodiversity and its relationship to ecosystem functioning: a review. Biodiversity Conservation, 7: 1221–1244.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frouz J, Jílková V, Sorvari J. 2016. Contribution of wood ants to nutrient cycling and ecosystem function. In: Stockan J A. Wood Ant Ecology and Conservation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 207–220.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ginzburg O, Whitford W G, Steinberger W. 2008. Effects of harvester ant (Messor spp.) activity on soil properties and microbial communities in a Negev desert ecosystem. Biology and Fertility of Soils, 45: 165–173.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gosselin S, Hoegberg L C, Hoffman R S, et al. 2016. Evidence-based recommendations on the use of intravenous lipid emulsion therapy in poisoning. Clinical Toxicology, 54(10): 899–923.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grime J P. 1977. Evidence for the existence of three primary strategies in plants and its relevance to ecological and evolutionary theory. American Naturalist, 111: 1169–1194.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grimes R F. 1978. Crown Assessment of Natural Spotted Gum (Eucalyptus Maculata)-Ironbark (Eucalyptus fibrosa, Eucalyptus drepanophylla) Forest. Brisbane: Government Printer, 16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harkness R, Wehner R. 1977. Cataglyphis. Endeavour, 1(3–4): 115–121.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harrington N G, Driver M A. 1995. The effect of fire and ants on the seed-bank of a shrub in a semi-arid grassland. Australian Journal of Ecology, 20(4): 538–547.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hopfensperger K N. 2007. A review of similarity between seed bank and standing vegetation across ecosystems. Oikos, 116(9): 1438–1448.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hughes L, Westoby M. 1990. Removal rates of seeds adapted for dispersal by ants. Ecology, 71(1): 138–148.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Inés P G, de Casenave L, Nestor J. 2014. Effect of harvester ants of the genus Pogonomyrmex on the soil seed bank around their nests in the central Monte Desert, Argentina. Ecological Entomology, 39(5): 610–619.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jabarzare A, Bassiri M, Vahabi M R. 2011. Effects of light and drought stress on germination of Artemisia sieberi Besser. African Journal of Biotechnology, 10(56): 11903–11910.

    Google Scholar 

  • Keith H, Macke B G, Lindenmayer D B. 2009. Re-evaluation of forest biomass carbon stocks and lessons from the world’s most carbon-dense forests. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 106(28): 11635–11640.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lafleur B, Hooperbui L M, Mumma P, et al. 2005. Soil fertility and plant growth in soils from pine forests & plantations: effect of invasive red imported fire ants (Solenopsis invicta). Pedobiologia, 49(5): 415–423.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lavelle P. 1997. Faunal activities and soil processes: adaptive strategies that determine ecosystem function. Advances in Ecological Research, 27: 93–132.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leal I R, Wirth R, Tabarelli M. 2007. Seed dispersal by ants in the semi-arid Caatinga of North-East Brazil. Annals of Botany, 99(5): 885–894.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lei S A. 2000. Ecological impacts of seed harvester ants on soil attributes in a Larrea-dominated shrubland. Western North American Naturalist, 60(4): 439–444.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levine N, Ben-Zvi G, Seifan M, et al. 2019. Investment in reward by ant-dispersed plants consistently selects for better partners along a geographic gradient. AoB Plants, 11(3): plz027.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luna P, García-Chávez J H, Dáttilo W. 2018. Complex foraging ecology of the red harvester ant and its effect on the soil seed bank. Acta Oecologica, 86: 57–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacMahon J A, Mull J F, Crist T. 2000. Harvester ants (Pogonomyrmex spp.): their community and ecosystem influences. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, 31: 265–291.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maia G N. 2012. Caatinga: Trees and Shrubs and Their Uses (2nd ed.). Brazil: Fortaleza, 255. (in Portuguese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mbuthia E, Shariff J, Raman A, et al. 2012. Abundance and diversity of soil arthropods and fungi in shelterbelts integrated with pastures in the central tablelands of New South Wales, Australia. Journal of Forest Science, 58(12): 560–568.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCune B, Mefford M J. 1999. PC-ORD for Windows: Multivariate Analysis of Ecological Data, version 4. Glenden Beach, OR: MJM Software.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morecroft M D, Masters G J, Brown V K, et al. 2004. Changing precipitation patterns alter plant community dynamics and succession in an ex-arable grassland. Functional Ecology, 18(5): 648–655.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moutinho P, Nepstad D, Davidson E. 2003. Influence of leaf-cutting ant nests on secondary forest growth and soil properties in Amazonia. Ecology, 84(5): 1265–1276.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ness J H, Morin D F, Giladi I. 2009. Uncommon specialization in a mutualism between a temperate herbaceous plant guild and an ant: are Aphaenogaster ants keystone mutualists? Oikos, 118(12): 1793–1804.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nicolai N, Smeins F, Cook J. 2008. Harvester ant nests improve recovery performance of drought impacted vegetation in grazing regimes of semiarid savanna, Texas. The American Midland Naturalist, 160(1): 29–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paolini K E, Modlin M, Suazo A A, et al. 2020. Harvester ant seed removal in an invaded sagebrush ecosystem: Implications for restoration. Ecology and Evolution, 10(24): 13731–13741.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Penn H J, Crist T O. 2018. From dispersal to predation: A global synthesis of ant-seed interactions. Ecology and Evolution, 8(18): 9122–9138.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pfeiffer M, Huttenlocher H, Ayasse M. 2010. Myrmecochorous plants use chemical mimicry to cheat seed-dispersing ants. Functional Ecology, 24(3): 545–555.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pirk G I, de Casenave J L. 2014. Effect of harvester ants of the genus Pogonomyrmex on the soil seed bank around their nests in the central Monte desert, Argentina. Ecological Entomology, 39(5): 610–619.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rafiei A Z, Matinkhah S H. 2013. The effect of petropyrum aucheri seed storage treatment on its germination properties. Proceedings of 1st National Conference on Sustainable Agriculture and Natural Resources, International Center for Conferences and Seminars on Sustainable Development of Science in the Islamic World, Iran. 1508.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rahman M, Roy B. 2014. Population structure and curative uses of invasive plants in and around the protected forests of Bangladesh: A means of utilization of potential invasive species. Journal of Ecosystems, 1: 1–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruano F, Tinaut A, Soler J J. 2000. High surface temperatures select for individual foraging in ants. Behavioral Ecology, 11(4): 396–404.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ruzsky M. 1905. The Ants of Russia (Formicariae Imperii Rossici). Systematics, Geography and Data on the Biology of Russian Ants. Charleston: Nabu Press, 126.

    Google Scholar 

  • Safriel U, Adeel Z, Niemeijer D, et al. 2005. Dryland systems. Ecosystems and Human well-being: Current state and trends. In: Hassan R, Scholes R, Ash N. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. Washington DC: Island Press, 623–662.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saha A, Carvalho K, Sternberg L, et al. 2012. Effect of leaf-cutting ant nests on plant growth in an oligotrophic Amazon rain forest. Journal of Tropical Ecology, 28(3): 263–270.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Samadi S, Ghorbani A, Choukali M, et al. 2020. Effect of grazing exclosure on vegetation characteristics and soil properties in the Mahabad Sabzepoush rangelands, Iran. Ecopersia, 9(2): 139–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Santschi F. 1927. Revision of Messors from Instabilis SM Group (Hymenopt). Charleston: Nabu Press, 24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sternberg M, Gutman M, Perevolotsky A, et al. 2003. Effects of grazing on soil seed bank dynamics: An approach with functional groups. Journal of Vegetable Science, 14(3): 375–386.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi S, Itino T. 2012. Larger seeds are dispersed farther: the long-distance seed disperser ant Aphaenogaster famelica prefers larger seeds. Sociobiology, 59: 1401–1411.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ter Heerdt G N J, Verwey G L, Bekker R M, et al. 1996. An improved method for seed-bank analysis: seedling emergence after removing the soil by sieving. Functional Ecology, 10(1): 144–151.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Veen G F, Geuverink E, Olff H. 2012. Large grazers modify effects of aboveground-belowground interactions on small-scale plant community composition. Oecologia, 168(2): 511–518.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vittoz P, Engler R. 2007. Seed dispersal distances: A typology based on dispersal modes and plant traits. Botanica Helvetica, 117: 109–124.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wagner D, Jones J B, Gordon D M. 2004. Development of harvester ant colonies alters soil chemistry. Soil Biology & Biochemistry, 36(5): 797–780.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wagner D, Nicklen E F. 2010. Ant nest location, soil nutrients and nutrient uptake by ant-associated plants: does extrafloral nectar attract ant nests and thereby enhance plant nutrition? Journal of Ecology, 98(3): 614–624.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang X Y, Ma Q L, Jin H J, et al. 2019. Change in characteristics of soil carbon and nitrogen during the succession of Nitraria Tangutorum in an arid desert area. Sustainability, 11(4): 1146.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Way M J, Khoo K C. 1992. Role of ants in pest management. Annual Review of Entomology, 37: 479–503.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wills B D, Landis D A. 2018. The role of ants in north temperate grasslands: a review. Oecologia, 186: 323–338.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zar J H. 1996. Biostatistical Analysis, Upeer Saddle River (2nd ed.). New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 718.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ecological Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Jiroft, Jiroft, 7867161167, Iran

    Mohsen Sharafatmandrad & Azam Khosravi Mashizi

Authors
  1. Mohsen Sharafatmandrad
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Azam Khosravi Mashizi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mohsen Sharafatmandrad.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Sharafatmandrad, M., Khosravi Mashizi, A. Plant community dynamics in arid lands: the role of desert ants. J. Arid Land 13, 303–316 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40333-021-0006-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40333-021-0006-4

Keywords

  • ants
  • ecological succession
  • ecosystem
  • rangelands
  • shrubs
  • vegetation