Structural Characteristics of an Ant Community during Succession
- 1 November 1986
- Vol. 47 (3) , 346-354
- https://doi.org/10.2307/3565447
Abstract
The spatial and temporal variability of an ant community was studied in a Mediterranean therophytic pasture in Central Spain. Various neighbouring slopes of similar gradient and aspect were studied using regular sampling of transects along each slope''s gradient. During succession the spatial organization of these communities evolved from a "fine-grained" structure and weakly defined pattern to a "broad-grained" structure with greater pattern contrast. Spatial heterogeneity increased during succession, reflecting community segregation and probably indicating a reduction in competition. Two scales of organization were observed in the stages of greater maturity, the first related to geomorphological sectors within the slopes, between which lies an ecotonic zone and the second reflecting concrete positions within a slope.This publication has 8 references indexed in Scilit:
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