A lesson in resilience from ants | Alan Andersen | TEDxCharles Darwin University

Biodiversity and Evolutionary History - Ant communities' characteristics are shaped by their evolutionary past, similar to human cultures [1] - Ants constitute one-fourth of the total weight of all land creatures, surpassing the combined weight of wild birds and mammals [2] - Australian tropical savannas boast the highest ant diversity, exceeding even the Amazon rainforest when considering undescribed species [6][7] - The ant fauna of Australian savannas is primarily derived from arid environments, contrasting with Brazilian savannas, which are forest-derived [8][9] Functional Differences and Adaptations - Australian savannas exhibit a high abundance and diversity of harvester ants (seed-eating ants), while Brazilian savannas have only one species due to their rainforest association [11][12] - Australian savannas possess a diverse genus of highly thermophilic ants ( Maleopherus ), capable of foraging at temperatures up to 50°C, whereas Brazilian savannas lack similarly adapted species [13][14] Climate Resilience and Implications - Australian savanna ant diversity remains stable across a rainfall gradient from 1,500 mm to 500 mm per year, unlike the rainfall-sensitive forest-derived ant fauna of Brazilian savannas [15][16] - Projected declines in rainfall due to climate change are unlikely to significantly impact Australian savanna ants but could negatively affect ant diversity in Brazilian savannas [17] Lessons for Humanity - The resilience of Australian savanna ants offers a lesson for humanity in building a resilient future in the face of climate change [18][20] - Preparing for climate change involves adapting to increasingly arid conditions, rising sea levels, and increased risks of floods and fires [19][20]