Isand Research: Abstracts: Ants as Indicator Species

Adam Clark

Adam Clark
Museum of Comparative Zoology
Harvard University
26 Oxford Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
e-mail author

 
Delivered at 2008 Boston Harbor Islands Science Symposium.

Ants have been shown to be a relatively good indicator of ecosystem type. They are small, numerous, and except for their reproductive phase, are more or less sedentary. Ant samples collected over the last four years of the ATBI (All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory) project were compared on an island-by-island basis to compare species richness. The "actual" number of ant species present was compared to a model-generated "expected" value based on island area. Differences were then compared to boat traffic to and from the islands, the number of visitors, proximity to land, and the type of land use specified in the Boston Harbor Islands general management plan. Results could be useful in identifying areas of heavy use on islands and comparing the success of the management plans on the islands.

Last updated: February 26, 2015

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park
21 Second Ave

Charlestown, MA 02129

Phone:

617 223-8666

Contact Us