Can Ants Cause Sinkholes?
WouterWhether or not ants cause sinkholes depends on the habitat they inhabit. Ants are found in many different habitats, including fields, lawns, and gardens. Some species of ants may damage or destroy the grass in your yard, but others are harmless.
Various studies have investigated how ants influence the landscape of karst landscapes. These landscapes are among the most complex systems in the world, and include various microhabitats. These microhabitats may act as safe havens, providing an area where ants can shelter. In addition, karst landscapes may function as stepping stones for ants during range shifts. Despite the importance of these habitats, very little data is available on the functional diversity of karst landscape animals.
Ants that inhabit karst landscapes can be classified into three different groups: field ants, farming ants, and tunneling ants. Field ants and farming ants can be found in a variety of different habitats, and they may not cause damage to your yard. In contrast, tunneling ants are more likely to cause damage to your yard.
Collapse dolines are an important habitat for ants. They are characterized by small, round-shaped holes and piles of dirt in the cracks. These piles mark hive entrances. Several hundred ants will gather leftovers to transport back to the colony.
A study of soil Collembola communities in a collapse doline of Silicka l’adnica Cave in Slovakia suggested that dolines may act as a key habitat for ants. The study found that dolines act as key habitats for species that are adapted to cooler and moister conditions. In addition, dolines provide a stepping stone for ants moving between different microhabitats.
