How Do Leaf Cutter Ant Nests Affect Nitrogen Availability for Nearby Plants?
Brian Gisinger
Co-Presenters: Individual Presentation
College: The Dorothy and George Hennings College of Science, Mathematics and Technology
Major: Enviornmental Sciences
Faculty Research Mentor: Daniela Shebitz
Abstract:
Leaf cutter ants (Atta spp.) play a crucial and fascinating role in nutrient cycling within tropical rainforests. In rainforests such as those in Belize, a mature Atta colony can contain as many as 8 million ants and can consume 1-2 tons of foliage in a single year. Research conducted by tropical ecologists such as Pinto et al (2009) has found that leaf-cutter ants maintain specialized nitrogen-fixing bacteria in their fungal gardens. This symbiosis, compounded with the massive amount of foliage sequestered by the ants results in a major source of nitrogen for typically nutrient poor tropical soils. Preliminary observations made in Blue Creek and forests near Nim Li Punit, Belize during a 2025 Travel Learn course with Kean University provided an opportunity to witness how leaf cutter ants work collectively to alter their surroundings and nurture their communities. These observations led to the formation of a research question: Since it is documented that Atta spp. affect the Nitrogen contents of the soils, is there evidence that this added nitrogen affects plants growing near their nests? In order to answer this research question, a scientific literature review was conducted through ScienceDirect, JSTOR, and ResearchGate to find articles that document the cycling of nitrogen that results from Atta colony activity in rainforest ecosystems. A deeper understanding of how these incredible animals operate and influence the ecosystems they live in was achieved through this research in conjunction with what was observed in Belize.