Subproject

E16 - Ant and termite communities along a habitat degradation gradient: patterns and consequences for ecosystem function

Workpackage

WP3: Trophic ecology of ants and termites

Project leader(s)

Prof. Dr. Roland Brandl
Dr. Manfred Kaib
Marcell Peters
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Wägele

Project description

In this workpackage we will characterize the diet of ant and termite species and the trophic diversity of ant communities using stable isotopes, observation data and questionnaires. We want to find out if the niche width of ant and termite species and the trophic diversity of ant communities changes along the habitat degradation gradient. For example, it is expected that several predacious ant species disappear from simple landscapes, leading to a smaller trophic diversity of the whole ant community. Although termites and ants provide major beneficial services in ecosystems, they are also important pest species. We combine information gathered by questionnaires, observations, and stable isotope analyses to identify beneficial and pest species. Subsequently, by integrating data on the distribution of ant and termite species along the land-use gradient, we develop management recommendations for the local community on how to keep the influence of detrimental species as low as possible without interfering with the positive effects of ants and termites in the ecosystems.

Keywords

ants, insects, stable isotopes, termites, trophic ecology

Contribution to
cross-cutting themes (CCT)

• Monitoring and assessment of biodiversity in space and time (Theme1)
• Understanding natural processes of change (Theme2)
• Understanding human use, value and impact in space and time (Theme3)
• Recommendations and measures for sustainable use of biodiversity (Theme4)

Link to Subproject