PreprintArticleVersion 1Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed
A Re-Inventory After 12 Years – Increase in Red Wood Ant Nests and Woodpecker Cavities in Nests in the West Eifel Volcanic Field Despite Climatic Changes
Version 1
: Received: 28 February 2023 / Approved: 1 March 2023 / Online: 1 March 2023 (02:57:20 CET)
How to cite:
Berberich, G. M.; Berberich, M. B. A Re-Inventory After 12 Years – Increase in Red Wood Ant Nests and Woodpecker Cavities in Nests in the West Eifel Volcanic Field Despite Climatic Changes. Preprints2023, 2023030005. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202303.0005.v1
Berberich, G. M.; Berberich, M. B. A Re-Inventory After 12 Years – Increase in Red Wood Ant Nests and Woodpecker Cavities in Nests in the West Eifel Volcanic Field Despite Climatic Changes. Preprints 2023, 2023030005. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202303.0005.v1
Berberich, G. M.; Berberich, M. B. A Re-Inventory After 12 Years – Increase in Red Wood Ant Nests and Woodpecker Cavities in Nests in the West Eifel Volcanic Field Despite Climatic Changes. Preprints2023, 2023030005. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202303.0005.v1
APA Style
Berberich, G. M., & Berberich, M. B. (2023). A Re-Inventory After 12 Years – Increase in Red Wood Ant Nests and Woodpecker Cavities in Nests in the West Eifel Volcanic Field Despite Climatic Changes. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202303.0005.v1
Chicago/Turabian Style
Berberich, G. M. and Martin B. Berberich. 2023 "A Re-Inventory After 12 Years – Increase in Red Wood Ant Nests and Woodpecker Cavities in Nests in the West Eifel Volcanic Field Despite Climatic Changes" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202303.0005.v1
Abstract
We re-inventoried red wood ant nests (RWA) in 12 study sites (≈1281 ha) in the Westeifel Volcanic Field, Germany, in an area-wide and integrated ecosystem approach after 12 years. Combined with the re-identification of previously mapped nests using a photo database, this approach leads to more accurate nest counts in (re)inventories. A total increase of nests from 1144 (2009) to 1252 (2021), and a dramatic one for the Heidberg site by 52-fold (2009) and 85-fold (2021) compared to a 1984 inventory was observed, contrasting with earlier postulations of a decline in RWA. Early to medium mature (41-80 years) and mature (³81–140 years) spruce forests were the preferred habitat. Large increase in small nest sizes suggests an increase in new nest settlements also in clearings, despite climate-induced forest dieback over the past decade. A decline in biodiversity in the herbaceous layer was observed; highly proliferating blackberries had no negative impact on RWA nests. Monitoring of woodpecker cavities in RWA nests is suggested as an indirect indicator tool for evaluating populations in forests. Positive ground movement rates caused by the Eifel plume are suggested another factor favoring nest settlements. This study contributes to the urgent update of statistically valid data required to a) effectively substantiate the status-quo of RWA occurrences, b) protect RWA as ecosystem engineers, c) advance understanding of Geo-Bio-Interactions in the wake of climate change, and c) contribute to the German government's Insect Conservation Action Program.
Keywords
Red wood ants (Formica rufa-group); tree age classes; West Eifel Volcanic Field; herbaceous layer; woodpecker cavities; clearings; re-inventory; climate change
Subject
Biology and Life Sciences, Insect Science
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
