A systematic review of the land use change effects on ant diversity in Neotropics

Abstract

Land use changes represent one of the leading causes of terrestrial biodiversity loss, particularly in tropical ecosystems. In Brazil, a country that encompasses six distinct biomes and one of the world's highest ant diversities, the increasing land use changes are having detrimental effects on biodiversity. Our aim in this study was to summarize the impact of land use changes on ants in Brazil through a systematic review. We adhered to the PRISMA Eco-Evo methodology and conducted a qualitative review of studies, as well as a meta-analysis focusing on ant species richness and abundance. Especially, we observe a more pronounced negative effect in more contrasting conversions, such as from tropical forest to open anthropogenic land uses. We associate the decrease in richness with drastic changes in the vegetation structure. Consequently, this leads to extreme temperature variations, reduced humidity, and a decline in both the variety and quantity of food resources and nesting sites. Our findings provide a foundation for the conservation and management of anthropogenic land uses in human-impacted regions. More specifically, we highlight that future management plans should aim for anthropogenic land uses that more closely resemble the original natural vegetation, to maintain conditions and increase resource availability for biodiversity in the new habitats. Additionally, avoiding intensive management practices, such as the use of fertilizers and pesticides in agricultural systems, can also support the conservation of entomofauna in terms of species richness and abundance, and potentially benefit ecosystem services.