Diversity of ants in Manresa Farm

Albay, Jeoffrey Falle

Dadulo, Aubrey

Jajalla, Nyza

Mercurio, Hannah Andrea

Padilla, Nathalie Candace

Rollan, Ana

Uy, Farlaine

Mrs. Lolita Martinez

Instructor

Queen Joy S. Baroro

Research Adviser

July 30, 2018

 INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

The universal distribution of ant species appoints them to be the most dominant

constituent of the terrestrial ecosystem, making up a large part of the biomass. The

study of Mahalakshmi and Chanaveerapa (2016) stated that ants are the most divergent

group among all social insects, thus contributes a conspicuous part of earth biodiversity.

These species act as ecosystem engineers, which takes a very significant role in the

ecosystem by improving soil and assisting in the decomposition process. They are

considered as good biological indicators due to mutualistic behavior with both fauna and

flora. ​Ants belong to the family Formicidae, included in superfamily Vesoidea in the

order of Hymenoptera placed under class of Insecta in the phylum Arthropoda.

A common presumption is that diversity of one constituent in a system tends to

promote diversity in another constituent. In representation, the diversity of flora species

greatly impacts the diversity of fauna species in a way that plants serve as producers to

animals in the role of consumers. ​Ants give support to many organisms by providing

stable food resources and numerous niches (Lachaud & Pérez-Lachau, 2012). ​They

play important roles in predation, nutrient flow, herbaceous vegetation structure, and

soil improvement. Their effects are remarkable when they reach extremely high

populations. ​Among the benefits provided by symbiotic ants, an increase in plant growth

rate might be considered one of the most important (Oliveira ​et al​., 2015​). Although ant

diversity appears to be greatest in terrestrial ecosystems, global patterns of ant diversity

and distribution are not well understood. Due to ubiquity of the ant species we tend to

overlook its role and significance in our overall ecosystem.

The study of ​Benckiser (2010) claimed that ​60% of the world’s ecosystems are

not used in a sustainable way. Modern agriculture is blamed for declining soil carbon

and biodiversity. Climate change, habitat fragmentation and other obstacles impede the

movement of many animal species, and distribution changes are projected to continue.

Therefore, we need alternative management strategies. The colony organization of

social insects, especially of ants, is seen as a model to design an improved agricultural

management, because ants are very experienced agriculturists. Ants represent half of

the global insect biomass. Their individuals work like a super organism.

Ants are a globally important and abundant taxonomic. Reports of ant abundance

patterns are also mixed, with examples of declines with elevation, mid-elevation peaks,

and some examples of no significant change in abundance with elevation Temperature

and available land area have been cited as being important factors governing the

distribution of ant diversity across elevation. No studies have investigated temporal

variation in ant elevational diversity. Ant species density and abundance, however, are

known to shift with season in a range of habitats. Typically, greater species density and

abundance are observed at the time of year which has greater humidity, temperatures

or forage. In addition, this seasonal flux of diversity may be modulated by other

environmental factors. For example, the response of ant communities to different

seasons can depend on the vegetation type sampled. (Bishop ​et al.,​ 2014). In this case,
tropical places are suitable study sites for conducting ant diversity patterns and species

richness.

According to Manting ​et al (2015), In the Philippines a tropical country, 434 ant

species was known but forest destruction and introduction of invasive species had been

the major concern to push for completing the country's ant inventory. Little work has

been done documenting the ant diversity in the Philippines. Despite the ecological

significance of ants as an important group of soil fauna, most of the species are data

deficient with only little data on their abundance and distribution is known. The study of

Philippine ant diversity is still in its infancy.

Since only a few studies of ant diversity were conducted in the Philippines. This

study would dig further about the diversity and its impact in the chosen environment.

Specifically, the Manresa farm located in the tropical country, Philippines. A suitable

research area for crop production and agriculture would deepen our knowledge with

regard to it’s diversity, species distribution and ecosystem significance.

The importance of ants in the ecosystem and their significant roles in the

community should not be disregarded. A further understanding of the patterns of ant

diversity would be handful in improving our knowledge in terms of its biogeography,

organization and community dynamics, and most importantly how their biodiversity

would be best conserved.

Statement of the Research Questions

 This study aims to answer the following questions:

1. How many species of ants can be found in the area?

2. What species can be found in the area?

3. Which species is the most abundant in terms of population? Least abundant?

4. In which parts of the area can we find the most ants?

Significance of the Study

The findings of this study will redound to the benefit of the ecosystem considering

that ants contribute a big role to it. Ants turn, aerate the soil thus allowing water and

oxygen to reach plant roots (Benett, 2008). Ants also play a huge part in the food web

as they also eat pests such as termites and at the same time be a food for other

organisms such as the woodpeckers, bears, frogs, and many other ant-eating animals.

Thus society would be able to see the significant value of ants especially the Manresa

Farm, so that they will make use of the research as a form of guide in improving

livestock and crop production. This study can also be beneficial for the Department of

Agriculture for it can be used to improve their agricultural practices and can guide them

on how to use ants to benefit their crops and livestock. For the researchers, this study

would help them uncover the hidden benefits and effects of ants to the environment and

society.

Scope and Delimitation

 The study aims to determine diversity of ants in Manresa Farm and its roles in

the ecosystem. Manresa Farm is chosen as the research setting for this study because

it is part of the school and this makes the researchers access the location easily. The

study will cover the time from August 2018 to February 2019 because it is the only time

available for the research to be conducted. The study will focus on identifying the

different species of ants within the forest area. The forest area is chosen to be the

location for the study because of the presence of fruit trees in which ants are commonly

found. Data will be collected through pitfall trapping method. This will happen through

creating a small container filled with a preservative and is ​placed underground, having its topmost

part open and levelled at the ground surface.

References Used

Benckiser, G. (2010). Ants and Sustainable Agriculture. A Review. Agronomy for

Sustainable Development (30), 191 – 199.

Bishop, T. R., Robertson, M. P., Van Rensburg, B. J., & Parr, C. L. (2014, June 24).
Elevation–diversity patterns through space and time: Ant communities of the
Maloti-Drakensberg Mountains of southern Africa.

Lachaud, J.P., ​Pérez-Lachau, G. (2014). Arboreal Ant Colonies as ‘Hot-points’ of

Cryptic Diversity for Myrmecophiles the Weaver Ant Camponotus sp. aff. Textor and its
Interaction Network with its Associates. PloS one 9 (6), e100155

M., & C. (2016, August 29). Diversity of Ant Species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) In the
Campus of Maharanis Science College for Women: A Mini Model of Habitat
Persistence.

Oliveira, K. N., Coley, P. D., Kursar, T. A., Kaminski, L. A., Moreira, M. Z., & Campos,
R. I. (2015, March 26). The Effect of Symbiotic Ant Colonies on Plant Growth: A Test
Using an Azteca-Cecropia System.
Agosti, K. (2000)​. The Diversity of Ground-Dwelling Ants.Karnataka India: ​Centre for Ecological
Sciences