Leaf-cutting ants, seasonal burning and nutrient distribution in Cerrado vegetation

Abstract

Fire and herbivory are known to modify plant community structure. Many studies have suggested that fire ashes may increase soil nutrients in dystrophic soils. Herbivores may also change plant community structure through direct effects of herbivory and affecting nutrient cycling. Leaf-cutting ants were traditionally viewed as herbivores, although their role may be more complex, because their nests affect both chemical and physical soil properties, thus affecting plants indirectly. We investigated the effects of frequent burning and of leaf-cutting ants on the nutrient status of an herbaceous and a shrub species occurring in the Brazilian Cerrado, a habitat that is characterized by natural burnings. The proximity of ant nests resulted in an increase of nutrients in the leaves of both vegetation strata, whereas burning sometimes resulted in a decrease of nutrients. Our results do not lead to a possible positive effect of fire on plant nutrient content. On the other hand, ant nests may represent an important source of nutrients for plants on the nutrient-depleted Cerrado soils and may accelerate vegetation recovery after burning.