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The researchers found that ants play an important role in the context of forest regeneration and seed dispersal.
Ants may be small, but their contribution to the forest is huge.
Ants provide vital ecosystem support through dispersed mutualism, benefiting plants and forests worldwide.
How ants help forests regrow
(Photo: PATRICK PLEUL/DPA/AFP via Getty Images)
How Ants Are Helping New York City’s Healthy Forest Regenerate
The findings are published in the journal Ecology and are available to read here.
According to lead author Carmela Buono, ants are important dispersers.
This process is also known as animal-mediated seed dispersal. Buono is from Binghamton University.
To further illustrate the study, the researchers studied understory plants where ant seed dispersal was present.
Additionally, the study notes that ant contributions to forest regeneration were observed in about 20 New York City state forests.
According to the study in the ESA Journal, the researchers considered looking at the interrelationships and partners of seed removal and dispersal.
Also read: Replanting kelp forests by 2040 is essential to save declining and endangered species
Interrelationships between plants and ants also exist in North America and Asia.
How ants get their seeds depends on their interests. According to the study, woodland ants prefer species that are nutritious for their nests.
At the same time, the researchers highlighted the beneficial role of the plants; however, invasive slugs that compete with the seeds may also disrupt their emergence.
Impact of climate change on the world’s forests
Forests have always been important habitats for wildlife. However, the world’s forests are also affected by climate change and global warming.
In a recent report, protector Rapid global warming is having a profound impact on forests in parts of the Americas.
Climate change and rapid global warming could increase the risk of wildfires that can immediately impact forests.
In addition, forests suffer from widespread illegal logging.
In a previous article, Natural World News reported on the critical role of animal conservation in forest restoration.
The researchers stress that animals could help with restoration efforts by carrying seeds in deforested areas.
The results of the study were published in Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Magazine.
Animals such as bats and birds help disperse seeds in forests.
However, different studies explain that bats also protect the seeds from possible insect damage.
According to published in ecologyBats are essential for maintaining healthy seeds and young forests, researchers show.
The report added that bats can eat insects, which is also an effective natural pest control method.
In one experiment, researchers found that insect damage became more pronounced in the absence of bats.
Forest regeneration is a growing field that studies the role of insects and animals in forests worldwide.
Additionally, the role of conservationists and local communities is critical to protecting forests from the declines and threats of climate change.
Protecting and spreading seedlings is key to enriching forest populations.
Without conservation measures, forests will be significantly impacted by climate change, which could affect biodiversity and animals.
related articles: Environmental pest control: Spider webs help protect crops
For more similar stories, don’t forget to pay attention natural news.
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