Habitat disturbance and the diversity and abundance of ants (Formicidae) in the Southeastern Fall-Line Sandhills.
We examined habitat disturbance, species richness, equitability, and abundance of ants in the Fall-Line Sandhills, at Fort Benning, Georgia. We collected ants with pitfall traps, sweep nets, and by searching tree trunks. Disturbed areas were used for military training; tracked and wheeled vehicles damaged vegetation and soils. Highly disturbed sites had fewer trees, diminished ground cover, warmer soils in the summer, and more compacted soils with a shallower A-horizon. We collected 48 species of ants, in 23 genera (141,468 individuals), over four years of sampling. Highly disturbed areas had fewer species, and greater numbers of ants than did moderately or lightly disturbed areas. The ant communities in disturbed areas were also less equitable, and were dominated by Dorymyrmex smithi.
Graham
John H
JH
Department of Biology, Berry College, Mount Berry, Georgia 30149, USA. jgraham@berry.edu
Hughie
Hoyt H
HH
Jones
Susan
S
Wrinn
Kerri
K
Krzysik
Anthony J
AJ
Duda
Jeffrey J
JJ
Freeman
D Carl
DC
Emlen
John M
JM
Zak
John C
JC
Kovacic
David A
DA
Chamberlin-Graham
Catherine
C
Balbach
Harold
H
D000818:Animals; D001000:Ants / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D044822:Biodiversity; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D017753:Ecosystem; D005845:Georgia; D011156:Population Density