Amanda C. Gibbs
Lake Forest Richter Scholar 2013
Title: Nest density and ant species richness in sedge meadows
Abstract: Ants are social species, interacting regularly with members of their own nest as well as with members of competing nests. To ensure success, it is essential that each nest is able to secure its own resources. These resources must be within a realistic radius of the actual nest, where ant activity and density are greatest. As a mechanism of securing these resources, I hypothesize that ant species richness will be lower near the presence of an ant nest, since nests are defended by the colony’s workers. Throughout this study, I will look at species richness at thirty sedge meadow sites throughout McHenry County, Illinois by hand sampling 30 one meter square plots throughout a site. Additionally, I will be taking note of every ant nest present within a sampled plot. This data will help determine if the presence of an ant nest decreases the number of ant species present within a plot, especially if the nest is one of an aggressive ant species.