Joint initiatives for the conservation of zonal European red wood ants facing the danger of extinction

The project focuses on determination of the situation of European red wood ants in the cross border areas by revealing the nest numbers and distributions which will also provide necessary data for updating IUCN and national red list data, as well presentation of a species action plan and conservation program which will be used for future new project ideas particularly in protected areas of CB region; to train people in both sides to increase the knowledge and awareness and to build capacity of experts, scientists, civil servants, etc. and could be used in future initiatives and projects.
Within the project field studies and laboratory tests will be carried out on the territory of Burgas region and Kirklareli province, as well as the necessary equipment will be purchased to carry out the researches. The purpose is to elucidate nest inventory, nest ecology and distributional patterns of European red wood ant. All of the features of the nests will be recorded on the nest ID card. By doing morphological measurements the ecomorphs of this species in the region will be clarified so that protection schemes can be developed accordingly.
The results of the project will provide new data for updating the red lists and an action plan and conservation program for the species will be developed. The project will contribute to biological control studies and nest transplantation works since European red wood ants is a good biological control agent on Lymandria dispar caterpillars which are the most destructive insect on oak forests of Strandzha mountains.

Project status: completed

The beneficary carried out 4 field studies and intensive laboratory works in cooperation of experts from both countries for nest inventory studies and possible ecomorphs. The results indicated the existence of 35 European red wood ant nests in Turkish zonal areas of Strandzha Mountain whilst the number of nests found on the Bulgarian side is 8. This number is very low, revealing that the nests of this species may soon disappear if the necessary conservation measures are not taken. The preferred habitats of F. pratensis were plotted on digital maps. We also obtained morphological measurements for each specimen from the nests under a stereomicroscope whether or not they constitute ecomorphs. For habitat Inventory and conservation purposes the GPS coordinates, mound shapes and sizes and habitat details/types of determined colonies were recorded individually in colony identification cards. Colonies most vulnerable to any kind of threat were covered with steel nets for protection. An information plate about the species was fixed on one side of the nets. Local people where field studies were performed were also informed about the presence and importance of the species. Besides, threats to habitats were noted.

website of the project: https://www.europeanredwoodants.eu/en/

video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=8G3ShrN7Kb8