Firebreaks Promote the Connectivity of Ant Assemblages in Pampas Grasslands Fragmented by Commercial Forestry

ABSTRACT

While exotic forestry plantations fragment natural grasslands, firebreaks may serve as ecological corridors by maintaining environmental conditions like native habitats. However, the effectiveness of these linear features as functional corridors is taxon‐specific and poorly understood for ants, which provide important ecosystem functions. This study evaluates whether firebreaks promote connectivity for grassland ants in the Pampa biome by comparing taxonomic and functional diversity across grasslands, firebreaks and Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) plantations to identify the environmental variables driving these distribution patterns. Ants were collected using pitfall traps and aspirations (G‐Vac) in autumn and spring. Ant abundance was significantly lower in E. dunnii plantations compared to both grasslands and firebreaks. Genera richness (Hill numbers: q 0) did not differ significantly across environments. However, the diversity of rare and common genera (Hill numbers: q 1 and q 2) was significantly lower in Eucalyptus plantations compared to grasslands and firebreaks. This divergence was driven by the reduced abundance of Camponotus , Crematogaster and Cyphomyrmex within plantations. About community structure based on functional guilds, comparisons involving Eucalyptus plantations showed the highest levels of dissimilarity (43%), driven by a marked reduction in dominant ground omnivores (DGO), generalist patrolling Camponotini (GPC) and cryptic attine ants (CAA). In contrast, firebreaks and grasslands exhibited more similar functional compositions, with GPC being the most consistent group defining their shared characteristics. In summary, firebreaks maintained ant abundance, diversity and functional guild composition at levels like native grasslands. These findings demonstrate that the strategic integration of firebreaks into plantation design, prioritizing their frequency and maintenance, is fundamental for conserving ant biodiversity.