How Many Total Ants Are in the World?
WouterSeveral studies have estimated the number of total ants in the world. These estimates have ranged from 2.5 to 70 megatons of carbon. However, scientists are still unsure of the actual number. This is because there are no studies to measure the number of ants that live underground.
Ants are abundant and are often found in a variety of habitats on each continent. They play an important role in the maintenance of global ecosystems. They help in the decomposition of plants and are important for plant seed dispersal. They also play a vital role in nutrient cycling.
Ants are known to live in a variety of environments, and are surprisingly abundant in arid regions. However, more research is needed to better understand their role in terrestrial ecosystems.
This new study estimates the number of total ants in the world to be 20 quadrillion. The new calculation was based on observational evidence and took a bottom-up approach. It included data from 489 studies, spanning all continents, and covering all major biomes.
The study also compiled studies that were conducted in various languages. It found that two-thirds of the world’s ants reside in the tropics. They are especially abundant in the forest.
The new estimate is two to 20 times higher than the previous estimates. The total mass of ants on Earth is about 12 megatons of dry carbon. This is greater than the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals.
