Ants as geomorphological agents: A global assessment

Ants are abundant in most of the world's terrestrial environments. They energetic, strong for their size, numerous, and socially cooperative. play many geomorphologically important roles. In particular, they construct mounds subterranean galleries, create patterned ground, a role bioturbation, affect vegetation cover soil properties (such as infiltration rate) influence runoff erosion. also roles biogeochemical cycling rock mineral weathering. Here, we review reanalyse data collected from over 80 studies on ant contributions to geomorphology around world. The clearest manifestation geomorphological ants is found various constructions, such mounds. There can be hundreds or thousands per hectare, with median density 125 ha−1 recorded reviewed. longevity these features varies some stable while others highly erodible. construction galleries causes bioturbation (pedoturbation), which share termites, worms mammals. A rate 1.5 t a−1 derived produce ground through effects vegetation. relationships between activity erosion complex not consistent. Bioturbation soil, tunnelling activity, underground chambers, macro-pores, removal and/or accumulation organic material, changes cover, all mechanisms by might modify characteristics. Because effect rates, sediment provision have profound movement slopes. Only modest amount work has been done investigate that greatly affected human activities (especially land changes), geomorphologically-active species proved invasive. response future climate needs further investigation.