A rapid survey of ground-dwelling ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in an urban park from state of São Paulo, Brazil

• Published in: Brazilian journal of biology Vol. 80; no. 3; pp. 682 - 684
• Main Authors: Souza-Campana, D.R, Carvalho, A.C.N, Canali, M, Silva, O.G.M, Morini, M.S.C, Fujihara, R.T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: São Carlos Association of the Brazilian Journal of Biology 01.07.2020; Instituto Internacional de Ecologia
• Subjects: Animal species; Ants; Biodiversity; Ecological effects; Environmental changes; Environmental quality; Habitat fragmentation; Nature reserves; Nutrient cycles; Organisms; Parks & recreation areas; Polls & surveys; Urban areas; Urbanization; Brasil; Brazil; Atlantic Forest
• ISSN: 1519-6984; 1678-4375
• DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.221831

The growing urbanization process has led to significant changes in natural environments. Thus, it becomes necessary to search for alternatives aiming at conservation and improvement in environmental quality. The creation of forest reserves and ecological parks in urban regions can be an effective strategy to conserve biodiversity. The maintenance of these areas benefits many organisms, mainly by providing refuges for many animal species, including ants. Ants play a key role in different ecosystems, acting in nutrient cycling, soil structuring, and interacting with other organisms. Due to their high diversity, wide world distribution, and sensitivity to environmental changes, they are important organisms for biodiversity studies. Here, a rapid survey of ground-dwelling ants is described. The area comprises a fragment of Atlantic Forest of 48.4 hectares located on the urban perimeter of Águas da Prata, state of São Paulo, Brazil. It is influenced by the proximity to the Governador Adhemar Pereira de Barros Highway and by trails accessed by visitors.