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.