Ants Nest and Its Association in Soil Headspace Ethylene Concentration

Abstract

Ants are recognized as ecosystem engineers because they modify soil structure and nutrient composition through nest construction and associated activities. Information on the influence of ant nest on soil headspace ethylene concentration remains unattended. This study aimed to compare the physicochemical properties of ant nest soil with surrounding soil and to evaluate their relationship with headspace ethylene concentration. Soil samples were collected from Kunnathur Village, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India, comprising 10 ant nest soil samples and 10 surrounding soil samples. Soil physicochemical properties were determined using standard laboratory methods, and headspace ethylene was analysed by gas chromatography. The data were analysed using an independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey's HSD test, and Pearson's correlation analysis. Ant nest soil exhibited significantly higher organic carbon, nitrogen, iron, copper, and boron contents and a significantly lower, near-neutral pH than the surrounding soil (P < 0.05). One-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD test showed that headspace ethylene concentration was significantly lower in ant nest soil than in surrounding soil (P < 0.05); whereas, no significant differences were observed between ant nest species (P > 0.05). Pearson's correlation analysis revealed that organic carbon(r=-0.687, p=0.0041), nitrogen(r=0.883, p=0.0016), sulphur(r=0.676, p=0.046), and copper(r=-0.713, p=0.031) were significantly associated with headspace ethylene concentration. This finding indicated that ant nesting activity alters soil physicochemical properties, which may influence ethylene behaviour in soil. This study improves our understanding about the relationship between ant-mediated soil modification and soil gas dynamics.