Ants as Ecosystem Engineers in Natural Restoration of Human Made Habitats

Abstract

Three to four dominant seed-transporting ant species of different size categories (Tetramorium caespitum, Lasius niger, Formica rufibarbis/Formica pratensis) on the plateau of abandoned ore sedimentation basin (tailings containment) were studied as pioneer and subsequent colonisers of this industrial waste deposit, from the viewpoint of their functioning in plant seed dispersal. We examined the role of ants in primary vegetation succession. Experiments of seed removal by ants with plant species found within close proximity of tailings were related to the succession. Ant activity generates a considerable shift in the quality of the colonised surface, as they collectively act as ecosystem engineers

Keywords

• human-made habitats
• industrial-waste deposits
• abandoned tailings containment
• primary vegetation succession
• plant species diversity
• dispersal of plant seeds
• ant-plant interaction
• myrmecochory
• ecosystem engineers
• bioturbation