Abstract:

Background & Aim: Sampling is fundamental for biodiversity surveys, and in recent decades, the demand for research on ants and their communities has increased exponentially. Although there is a rich body of literature comparing sampling methods for specific habitats, systematic studies on ant sampling methods within vertical stratification remain limited. This review collates and reviews the published literature on sampling methods used for ant community surveys both domestically and internationally, summarizing the applicability, limitations, and complementary relationships of commonly used ant sampling methods in the canopy, leaf litter layer, and underground soil layer. We propose that for specific habitat types, research objectives, and ant species, a combination of multiple sampling methods should be employed, and standardized sampling should be used wherever possible. 

Review Results: The main recommendations include: (1) For canopy ants, it is recommended to prioritize the use of bait traps. If the research objective is to comprehensively and thoroughly investigate the species of canopy ants, a combination of bait traps, purse-string trap, and fogging methods can be used. (2) For ground ants, follow the Ants of the Leaf Litter Protocol (ALL draft) for comprehensive sampling, but adjustments can be made based on the research objectives. (3) For subterranean ants, although there is currently no comparison of the efficiency of various sampling methods, a combination of subterranean bait traps and direct sampling methods can be used to conduct repeated sampling. 

Summary & Perspectives: This paper provides a methodological reference for future in-depth surveys of ant diversity for ecological researchers, and offers a systematic sampling framework for multi-level ecosystem studies, enhancing the compatibility and comparability of data between different research efforts. Additionally, it provides a scientific basis for the conservation and management strategies of ant communities, aiding in a more comprehensive understanding of the ecological roles and diversity patterns of ants across different vertical spatial levels.

Key words: ants, sampling methods, spatial stratification, vertical space