The number exceeds the mass of all wild birds and wild mammals and is equal to one fifth of the total weight of humans.
Researchers have discovered that about 20 quadrillion ants live on Earth. It is 20 billion million million, that is, the number 20 followed by 15 zeros, writes Science Alert.
It has been noted that the world’s ants generate about 12 million tons of dry carbon. This exceeds the mass of all wild birds and wild mammals in the world combined and is equal to about one-fifth of the total weight of a human being.
At the same time, ants are an important part of nature. Among other things, they aerate the soil, disperse seeds, break down organic material, provide habitat for other animals, and form an important part of the food chain.
Estimating the number and weight of ants provides an important basis for monitoring ant populations amid stressful environmental changes.
As far as is known, there are more than 15,700 named species and subspecies of ants, as well as many others that have not yet been named by science. The high level of social organization of ants has allowed them to colonize almost all ecosystems and regions around the world.
Analysis of 489 population studies conducted by scientists from around the world helped calculate the number of ants on Earth. The study covers all continents and major habitats, including forests, deserts, grasslands and cities. Experts used standard ant collection and counting methods such as pitfall traps and leaf litter samples.
In addition, scientists have discovered that ants are not evenly distributed over the Earth’s surface. They vary by a factor of six depending on habitat and are typically highest in the tropics. This highlights the importance of tropical regions in maintaining healthy ant populations.
Ants are also especially abundant in forests and, surprisingly, in dry regions. But they are becoming more common in artificial habitats.
Also, these insects establish close relationships with other organisms, and some species cannot survive without them. For example, some birds rely on ants to scare off their prey. And thousands of plant species feed or harbor ants in exchange for protecting or distributing their seeds. And many ants are predators, which help control the population of other insects.
Therefore, it is alarming that global insect populations are declining due to threats such as habitat destruction and fragmentation, chemical use, invasive species and climate change.
Remember that Hurricane Florence in the United States formed “islands” of fire ants. They began to fly along the coast of the states of North and South Carolina, threatening residents.
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Source: korrespondent
