| Abstract: | The field ant, Lasius flavus provides an answer to the problem of demonstrating, in schools, the effect of an organism on its surroundings. There is a simple pattern of plant distribution on the anthills which is different from the surrounding meadow and the differences between anthill and undisturbed soil can be demonstrated by simple experiments. These differences modified the environment of the ant colonies in ways which were favourable to their development. The anthill is a product of social organisation which is in some ways comparable to the attempts of human societies to control their environment. |
