Effect of recreational pressure on ant communities of open biocenoses in Moscow

The effect of periodic mowing and trampling on the composition and structure of ant communities inhabiting lawns, meadows, and heterogeneous biocenoses has been studied in the city of Moscow. The results show that Formica cunicularia, Myrmica gallienii, and M. schencki are sensitive even to slight mechanical treatment of lawns; Lasius umbratus persists in periodically mowed areas, building the nests completely underground, but is intolerant of trampling; while M. rubra can well tolerate both weak trampling and mowing. Myrmica rugulosa and L. niger are most tolerant of recreational pressure, with the abundance of the latter even increasing under such conditions.