Ennerdale's hairy ant experiment to make forest more resistant
"[Hairy wood ants] can reduce plant damage by keeping herbivorous pests away," a spokesman explained."However, other herbivores, with adapted ant-defences, can thrive."
This is the second phase of the project, with nests already relocated earlier this year using a different method, and early signs suggest they had been "unaffected by the journey".Hayley Dauben, Forestry England's species reintroduction officer who is leading the project, said they would closely monitor how the colonies establish themselves and any differences between the two methods."The next crucial milestone will be in April 2026 as the ants emerge from their period of winter hibernation," she added.
Forestry England has worked on the project with the University of York.From September, the organisations will collaborate to support a PhD to help study the wider impacts of the project at Ennerdale.
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BBC News
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Ennerdale's hairy ant experiment to make forest more resistant
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BBC News
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- BBC News
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