Response of African savanna ants to long‐term fire regimes

摘要: Summary 1 Despite the fact that fire is considered an important disturbance in savannas across world and used widely as a management tool conservation areas, little known about effects of burning on their insect communities. 2 This study made use 50-year experiment to investigate responses ant assemblages long-term regimes. The frequency, season time since (fuel age) were tested epigaeic ants three savanna vegetation types (Mopane woodland, Acacia Terminalia woodland) Kruger National Park, South Africa. 3 There was no significant effect mean species richness abundance between treatments, although there differences assemblage composition burned (treatment) unburned (control) plots. season, frequency burn plot age structure weak often not significant. 4 Epigaeic this system appeared be highly resistant resilient burning. response linked changes habitat cover structure: less pronounced lower rainfall where burnt unburnt plots than higher areas. 5 Synthesis applications. mid- northern Park depends whether patch burns or not, rather specifics treatment. Thus, managers can focus concerns regarding subtleties regimes other taxa areas particular concern.