Ants accumulate organic matter and change the physical and chemical properties of soils. This may affect the release of trace gases such as CH₄ and CO₂. Ant nests are common in the experimental plots in the CLIMAITE project at Brandbjerg, and their abundance and activity may change with the treatments. In order to evaluate the impact of ants on trace gas emissions, bases for gas flux chambers will be established around and adjacent to ant nests (in plots outside the experimental manipulations). Trace gas emissions from the soil with and without ant nests will then be measured with infrared gas analyzer and gas chromatography by taking air samples at intervals from chambers fitted on top of the metal bases. The trace gas emission from bare soil with and without nests, and from soil dominated by heather (Calluna vulgaris) and grass (Deschampsia flexuosa) vegetation can be evaluated and compared to the soil organic matter accumulation.

Contact (More contact info - press here):

Per Ambus, Risø, per.ambus@risoe.dk; Anders Michelsen, KU, andersm@bi.ku.dk