Back in 2004, Simon Dures, a student in Ecological Science at Edinburgh University, carried out a research project in Glen Affric, using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) software, combined with field observations, to predict where wood ant colonies are most likely to be found.
Simon aimed to identify the locations and species of wood ant colonies within Glen Affric.
Simon says "[I used] two methods of data analysis, binomial logistic regression and normal distribution aggregation, [these] are used to create Geographic Information Software (GIS) models to predict areas within the glen suitable for wood ants. An attempt is made, based on the distribution of birch, to explain possible reasons why colonies may be lacking from areas in which they are expected to be resident. Historical use of the glen, trophic cascades and symbiotic relationships are discussed.
Suggestions of how management of the glen may improve the chances of unassisted population spread of the native wood ant population using deer exclosures are made. Finally the considerations needed for a reintroduction scheme using nest relocation are identified, and maps guiding this reintroduction generated."
Tags: Scotland | Formica | Keeping Ants
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