Competition among food-consuming base-mountain species alters the bird population movement. According to a recent report published by Centre for Ecological Sciences researchers at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, the aggressive insect-eating bird-augmenting competition is being asserted by the Oecophylla species of ants. The resource-reducing factor that compels them to migrate towards higher elevations is the reduced availability of food material in that area.
Body: From studies it has been reported that although mountains occupy a very insignificant 25% of the surface coverage of the Earth, still it is within mountains where almost the majority of the Earth’s biodiversity can be found. About 85% of the amphibian, bird, and mammal species inhabit the mountainous ecosystems; hence, mountainous ecosystems are very important for conservation purposes. The study indicated that the dominant ant species, Oecophylla, which takes aggressive insect predation at the mountain base, is pushing the insect-eating birds to higher elevations.
The study reveals that Oecophylla ants, which are powerful predators, share the same food source as the birds, hence limiting the availability of insects at the lower heights, and, therefore, birds tend to shift their habitats to altitudes where there is less competition, which may explain why more species of insect-eating birds thrive at higher altitudes.
It points out the necessity of how interspecies competition shapes the distribution of animals in fragile ecosystems like mountains. This understanding becomes crucial now more than ever as it seeks to help in effective preservation as climate change continues to damage habitats all over the world. Changes in bird populations that are caused by ant competition may be an early sign of larger ecological changes wherein rising temperatures and human activities further pressure mountain environments.
Considering the potential and important role of mountain ecosystems in supporting many species and their ecosystem services, there will be a need for conserving biodiversity. According to the authors, these results may contribute to the development of approaches for conservation aimed at keeping species diversity while reducing the effects of changes to the habitat in interspecies competition.
Conclusion: The present interspecies competition between ants and birds for insects at the bases of mountainous regions is an interesting ecological challenge. Thus, long-term impacts on the birds and the ecosystems they inhabit need to be followed through more research studies since such an increase in bird populations reaches higher elevations with time because of competitive pressures. Knowing the cause for such changes will be important for formulating a framework for protection against threats to biodiversity as well as in protecting mountain habitats badly threatened by environmental pressures.
Source: PTI