How Much Ants Are There on Earth?

Until now, there was no global estimate of how much ants are there on Earth. Previous estimates have been extrapolated from particular regions. But now, researchers have found that the total number of ants on Earth is at least two to 20 times higher than previous estimates. And scientists say the new estimate could help them track the impact of climate change on ant populations.

The authors of the study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, used data from 489 studies of ant populations. They then compiled the data into a database. The database included information on major biomes and continents. And it took six years to collect the data.

Scientists found that the majority of ants live in forests. But they also found that there are ants in every part of the planet. In fact, they’re the most widespread insects on Earth.

Researchers estimated the total number of ants on Earth to be at least 20 quadrillion. This is two to 20 times higher than previous estimates, and it would mean that each ant weighs more than a fifth of the human population. In fact, if we took the average-sized ant into account, the biomass of the ants would be as large as the combined biomass of all wild mammals and birds.

The study also noted that ants are surprisingly abundant in arid regions. They are also distributed unevenly throughout the planet. They live in colonies, and some colonies prefer specific types of vegetation. The researchers speculated that the distribution patterns may be due to climate and human land use.