Leaf‐Cutter Ant (Atta cephalotes) Influence on the Morphology of Andepts in Costa Rica
- 1 July 1981
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in Soil Science Society of America Journal
- Vol. 45 (4) , 790-794
- https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1981.03615995004500040023x
Abstract
Twenty‐seven soil profiles distributed within a 2.5‐ha site were described as Typic Dystrandepts of the Colorado soil series. Leaf‐cutter ant influence was noted in 85% of the pedons. The influence on each profile was estimated, and out of all profiles, 37% had low, 26% medium, and 22% high disturbance. The surface area covered by leaf‐cutter mounds was 38.9% of the study area; only 1% of the aboveground disturbed area was active, however. Leaf‐cutter ants transport material from the AB and B horizons to the soil surface, producing a new A1 horizon and, in addition, some subsoil chambers are filled with plant material. It is proposed to use a subindex (i) to denote insect influence as an agent on the formation of a subsoil horizon (ABi, B2i) and also, for the overburden (Ai).Funding Information
- National Science Foundation (DEB‐7810721)
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