INVESTIGADORES
GHERMANDI luciana
artículos
Título:
Ecological engineering by a native leaf-cutting ant increases
Autor/es:
FARJI-BRENER, A. G.; LESCANO, N. Y GHERMANDI, L.
Revista:
OECOLOGIA
Editorial:
SPRINGER
Referencias:
Año: 2010 p. 163 - 169
ISSN:
0029-8549
Resumen:
Abstract Numerous mechanisms are proposed to explain
why exotic plants successfully invade natural communities.
However, the positive effects of native engineers on exotic
plant species have received less consideration. We tested
whether the nutrient-rich soil patches created by a native
ecological engineer (refuse dumps from the leaf-cutting antNumerous mechanisms are proposed to explain
why exotic plants successfully invade natural communities.
However, the positive effects of native engineers on exotic
plant species have received less consideration. We tested
whether the nutrient-rich soil patches created by a native
ecological engineer (refuse dumps from the leaf-cutting ant
Acromyrmex lobicornis) increase the performance of exotic
more than native plants. In a greenhouse experiment, individuals
from several native and exotic species were planted
in pots with refuse dumps (RDs) and non-nest soils (NNSs).
Total plant biomass and foliar nutrient content were measured
at the end of the experiment. We also estimated the
cover of exotic and native plant species in external RDs from
54 field ant nests and adjacent areas. Greenhouse plants
showed more biomass and foliar nutrient content in RDs than
in NNS pots. Nevertheless, differences in the final mean
biomass among RD and NNS plants were especially great in
exotics. Accordingly, the cover of exotic plants was higher in
field RDs than in adjacent, non-nest soils. Our results demonstrated
that plants can benefit from the enhanced nutrient
content of ant RDs, and that A. lobicornis acts as an ecosystem
engineer, creating a substrate that especially
increases the performance of exotics. This supports the
fluctuating resource hypothesis as a mechanism to promote) increase the performance of exotic
more than native plants. In a greenhouse experiment, individuals
from several native and exotic species were planted
in pots with refuse dumps (RDs) and non-nest soils (NNSs).
Total plant biomass and foliar nutrient content were measured
at the end of the experiment. We also estimated the
cover of exotic and native plant species in external RDs from
54 field ant nests and adjacent areas. Greenhouse plants
showed more biomass and foliar nutrient content in RDs than
in NNS pots. Nevertheless, differences in the final mean
biomass among RD and NNS plants were especially great in
exotics. Accordingly, the cover of exotic plants was higher in
field RDs than in adjacent, non-nest soils. Our results demonstrated
that plants can benefit from the enhanced nutrient
content of ant RDs, and that A. lobicornis acts as an ecosystem
engineer, creating a substrate that especially
increases the performance of exotics. This supports the
fluctuating resource hypothesis as a mechanism to promoteA. lobicornis acts as an ecosystem
engineer, creating a substrate that especially
increases the performance of exotics. This supports the
fluctuating resource hypothesis as a mechanism to promote