Scientists are now exceptionally worried about the implications of these disruptions caused by the non-native ants, as they are negatively affecting the planet’s biodiversity and natural ecosystems that have evolved over millions of years.

These species can have a devastating effect on native plants and animal life, causing a decline or extinction of native species and decreasing the natural and necessary biodiversity. 

However, the vast majority of invasive species are now spread through human interference. From the transportation of food products, firewood, bait, plants, pets, and even tourism, globalization has unquestionably increased the number of invasive species worldwide.

Now, researchers are specifically studying the distribution patterns and impacts of 309 non-native ant species, including why they have spread and how they are affecting the planet. 

One scientist explained, “Ant species [are] estimated to encompass a staggering 70 percent of the Earth’s living animal mass.” Which certainly means they play an important role on our planet. 

Celo Bertelsmeier, Lucie Aulus-Giacosa, and Sébastien Ollier, respectively an associate professor, a postdoctoral researcher, and a biostatistician in the Department of Ecology and Evolution in the Faculty of Biology and Medicine at UNIL found that at least 520 ant species have been transported outside of their native ranges in that short time frame. 

“It’s deeply disconcerting to acknowledge that within a mere 200 years of human influence, we’ve managed to completely overhaul patterns shaped by 120 million years of ant evolution,” as Bertelsmeier said.

Invasive ant species can wreak havoc on a new environment, kill other species, decrease biodiversity, and even cost humans billions of dollars every year.

Those who aren’t worried about small ecosystems around the world should know that the destruction of the natural world has been and will continue to intensify the negative side effects of climate change. 

As massive numbers of ants are transported around the world and invade new regions, they are directly decreasing the biodiversity in that area. And a lack of biodiversity has been proven to quicken the effects of climate change. 

A loss of biodiversity will completely undermine an ecosystem’s ability to function, which will directly lead to extreme weather problems, including intense droughts, flooding, wildfires, storms, heatwaves, soil degradation, erosion, and much more. 

However, if biodiversity causes problems within the ecosystem, it won’t be able to protect itself or the planet as it’s supposed to. 

In fact, experts believe that invasive ant species have actually caused a whopping $51 billion in economic losses around the world. 

Even those who don’t make their livelihood from farming are often affected by invasive ants. From gardens to homes, these little critters can get in pretty much anywhere and can often cause detrimental infestations. 

In other words, we have created this frightening, detrimental, and expensive situation. However, like climate change, even though humans made this mess, it’s going to be exceptionally difficult for them to fix it. 

“Given their geography, they attract more tourists, and they import more foodstuffs. But these often arrive accompanied by undesirable guests that are potentially harmful to the local fauna and flora, which are particularly fragile,” Aulus-Giacosa said.

The only way to kill the ants would be to use pesticides; however, those chemicals would also kill all the native ants and other insects that are absolutely necessary for the biodiversity and success of the ecosystem. 

Ants also bring seeds into the tunnel, which infuse the soil with the nutrients it needs to thrive. In fact, if ants went extinct, the entire food chain would collapse. 

One plan is to try to stop invasive ants from arriving at a new destination while in transit. However, because they are so small, scientists have struggled to figure out where they are and how to stop them.  

For example, to help minimize the number of invasive species worldwide and avoid climate catastrophe, the United Nations Environment Program is working to create a framework called the Invasive Alien Species Report to keep certain species where they belong.

Clearly, there are far more invasive species than just ants. In fact, one report says there are now more than 6,500 plant and animal invasive species in the US, including Japanese Honeysuckle, Emerald Ash Boers, and green crabs.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service is storing genetic material of some of the most at-risk wildlife in the US, hoping to use the samples for future conservation efforts.

Of course, they are attentive to both biodiversity and invasive species, but more specifically, they are concerned about how they are contributing to the rising temperatures, sea levels, and extreme weather patterns affecting people all around the world. 

Between these scientists and the thousands of others focused on saving natural biodiversity and combating climate change, hopefully, we will find a way to save our planet from its seemingly imminent destruction.