Accumulation of phosphorus in nests of red wood ants Formica s. str.

Here we summarize recent data on the accumulation of phosphorus in nests of wood ants as compared with that in the surrounding forest soil, and discuss mechanisms that cause this phenomenon. Moreover, we also indicate questions for future research. Various species of red wood ants (Formica s. str.) in a wide geographic area show an apparent increase of phosphorus content in their nests. Remarkably, this increase mainly entails the forms of phosphorus which are potentially available for plants or microflora, whereas the increase in total phosphorus content is less pronounced. This increase in available phosphorus is mainly attributable to release from food brought to the mound, release by decomposition of organic matter in the nest and a shift in pH of the nest material from acidic to neutral, which supports the stability of available forms of phosphorus. The effect of increased availability of phosphorus in wood-ant nests in the surrounding forest ecosystem is not quite clear and requires further attention.