ECOSYSTEM ENGINEERS: THE MULTIFUNCTIONAL ECOLOGICAL ROLES OF ANTS IN TERRESTRIAL SYSTEMS

Abstract

Some insects which are commonly found in the land environments include the ants which play a crucial role in balancing the ecosystem in nature. By creating burrows in the ground, ants ensure that there is proper structure in the soil where air and water can seep into it, thus rendering it fertile. The ants help to decompose organic substances and disperse seeds in the ground thereby ensuring that plants develop properly. In addition, many species of ants are predators which consume parasites and organisms harmful to man and agricultural produce. As earlier mentioned functions, ants have also been seemed as essential components of ecosystem engineering because of their ability to modify and influence the biophysical conditions in the terrestrial environment. By virtue of their nesting and feeding behaviors, they make considerable contribution to the process of nutrient cycling through decomposition, mixing of organic and inorganic material into the soil, increasing microbial activity, and decomposition of plant and animal remains. In addition to being components of the ecosystem, it has been established that the ants are among the best ecosystem engineers because of their capability to transform and modify the physical and biological conditions of the environment of the land environment. This is done by helping in improving nutrient cycling through behaviors that help in mixing the soil together with organic and inorganic substances and decomposition of animal and plant waste products.