Journal article
Three energy variables predict ant abundance at a geographical scale
Proceedings of the Royal Society. B, Biological sciences, v 267(1442), pp 485-489
07 Mar 2000
PMID: 10737406
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Energy theory posits three processes that link local abundance of ectotherms to geographical gradients in temperature. A survey of 49 New World habitats found a two order of magnitude span in the abundance (nests m2) of ground nesting ants (Formicidae). Abundance increased with net primary productivity (r20.55), a measure of the baseline supply of harvestable energy. Abundance further increased with mean temperature (r20.056), a constraint on foraging activity for this thermophilic taxon. Finally, for a given mean temperature, ants were more abundant in seasonal sites with longer, colder winters (r20.082) that help ectotherm taxa sequester harvested energy in nonproductive months. All three variables are currently changing on a global scale. All should be useful in predicting biotic responses to climate change.
Energy theory posits three processes that link local abundance of ectotherms to geographical gradients in temperature. A survey of 49 New World habitats found a two order of magnitude span in the abundance (nests m 2 ) of ground nesting ants (Formicidae). Abundance increased with net primary productivity (r 2 0.55), a measure of the baseline supply of harvestable energy. Abundance further increased with mean temperature (r 2 0.056), a constraint on foraging activity for this thermophilic taxon. Finally, for a given mean temperature, ants were more abundant in seasonal sites with longer, colder winters (r 2 0.082) that help ectotherm taxa sequester harvested energy in nonproductive months. All three variables are currently changing on a global scale. All should be useful in predicting biotic responses to climate change.
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Details
- Title
- Three energy variables predict ant abundance at a geographical scale
- Creators
- Michael Kaspari - Department of Zoology, University of OklahomaLeeanne Alonso - Conservation InternationalSean O'Donnellkwd> - Department of Psychology, Box 351525, University of Washington
- Publication Details
- Proceedings of the Royal Society. B, Biological sciences, v 267(1442), pp 485-489
- Publisher
- The Royal Society
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000085874100010
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-0034615635
- Other Identifier
- 991014877963904721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Biology
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology