0312107 - BC 2009 RIV AT eng J - Journal Article
Frouz, Jan - Jílková, Veronika
The effect of ants on soil properties and processes (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).
[Vliv mravenců na půdní vlastnosti a procesy (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).]
Myrmecological News. Roč. 11, - (2008), s. 191-199. ISSN 1994-4136
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z60660521; CEZ:AV0Z6066911
Keywords : ants * soil * nutrient cycling
Subject RIV: EH - Ecology, Behaviour

Ants are ecosystem engineers, greatly affecting physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil. The effects on physical soil properties are connected with the building of corridors and galleries, which increase soil porosity and may cause separation of soil particles according to their size. Ant-mediated chemical changes of soil are represented mainly by a shift of pH towards neutral and an increase in nutrient content (mostly nitrogen and phosphorus) in ant nest-affected soil. These effects correspond with accumulation of food in the nests and the effect on biological processes, such as acceleration of decomposition rate. Effects on biological soil properties may be connected with increased or decreased microbial activity, which is affected by accumulation of organic matter and internal nest temperature and especially moisture. Effects on the soil vary between ant species; substantial variation can be found in the same species living in different conditions.

Práce shrnuje přehled dosavadních znalostí o vlivu mravenců na fyzikální chemické a biologické půdní vlastnosti a související půdní procesy.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0163254