Harvard Forest REU Symposium Abstract 2009

Title: Temperature Alters Competitive Interactions in Ants at Harvard Forest
Author: Jonathan J Chandler (Livingstone College)
Abstract:
Ants make up a considerable amount of the biomass in terrestrial communities. They provide ecosystem services such as soil turnover, decomposition and seed dispersal. However, ant composition and activity may be altered by climate change and interactions population dynamics strongly influenced by temperature. This study examines the effects of temperature on interspecific competitive interactions among ants at Harvard Forest. I conducted my research in the Harvard Forest near the warm ant chambers. Using surveys using standard baiting (index cards and tuna) techniques in forest plots. I recorded the temperature, abundance and composition of ant present and behavioral interactions (aggression, submission, neutrality) at the baits hourly during each sampling period. . I also found that the most abundance specie was the least aggressive; however, the least abundance ant specie was slightly more aggressive I found that more interactions occur in cooler temperatures and there were no interactions in the warmest temperatures. These findings suggest that interspecific interactions among ants may be altered under climate change, altering the diversity of and ecosystem services provided by ants.
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