Ant Ecology and Refuse Impact

The video explores the biodiversity of rainforests, focusing on the canopy, which is rich in ant species. Ants make up a significant portion of the animal biomass and contribute to the ecosystem through their waste, which enriches the soil with nutrients. Researcher Jane Lucas studies the impact of ant waste on plant growth, revealing its significant role in the ecosystem. The video highlights the importance of understanding the canopy's role in tropical ecology.

Where is most of the biodiversity in the rainforest found?

• In the canopy

• In the forest streams

• On the ground floor

• In the middle layer

What percentage of the total animal biomass in the canopy is made up of ants?

• 25%

• 10%

• 50%

• 75%

How many ant species might be found in a single tree in the canopy?

• 50

• 30

• 15

• 5

What is the size of the ants that build large structures in the canopy?

• Size of a pea

• Size of a marble

• Size of a grain of rice

• Size of a walnut

What is the length of an ant nest in the canopy?

• 12 feet

• 3 feet

• 6 feet

• 9 feet

What does the refuse from ant nests resemble?

• Old coffee grounds

• Bark

• Leaves

• Sand

How much more enriched is the refuse compared to the surrounding soil in phosphorus?

• 16-fold

• 6-fold

• 4-fold

• 10-fold

What effect does the ant refuse have on seedlings?

• They grow slower

• They grow two or three times higher

• No effect

• They grow at the same rate

How much refuse is added to the island daily?

• 12.4 tons

• 7.8 tons

• 5.3 tons

• 10.6 tons

How much ant refuse has fallen on every square yard of the rainforest floor since the Smithsonian's presence?

• 200,000 lb

• 300,000 lb

• 100,000 lb

• 400,000 lb