@article {BF-2373,
	title = {A preliminary investigation of temporal patterns in semiarid ant communities: Variation with habitat type},
	journal = {Austral Ecology},
	volume = {33},
	year = {2008},
	month = {08/2008},
	pages = {653 - 662},
	abstract = {This study reports on preliminary findings of habitat-contingent temporal variability in ant assemblages in Purnululu National Park in northern Australia{\textquoteright}s semiarid tropics, by sampling at the end of the dry season (October 2004) and the end of the wet season (April 2005). Six grids of 15 pitfall traps were established in each of the spinifex, sandplain and gorge habitats. Community composition was dominated by behaviourally dominant ants (Iridomyrmex spp.) and climate specialists (Melophorus and Meranoplus spp.). Ant activity was higher in the wet season sampling period, with greater species richness and abundance. Interestingly, temporal variation in ant assemblage richness, abundance and composition varied markedly with habitat type. While there were large differences between sampling periods for the spinifex and sandplain habitat, this was not the case in the gorges. These temporal changes in ant assemblages are postulated to be linked with major environmental differences between the two sampling periods, driven by seasonal climatic conditions. It is likely that these changes influenced the ant assemblages through species differences in physiological tolerance levels, ecological requirements and competitive ability. This study demonstrates the need, in highly seasonal environments, to consider the temporal context of studies in relation to habitat type, particularly when undertaking biodiversity surveys and monitoring.},
	doi = {10.1111/j.1442-9993.2008.01832.x},
	author = {Barrow, L and Parr, CL}
}
@article {BF-2356,
	title = {Habitat type influences fire resilience of ant assemblages in the semi-arid tropics of Northern Australia},
	journal = {Journal of Arid Environments},
	volume = {69},
	year = {2007},
	month = {04/2007},
	pages = {80 - 95},
	abstract = {Although fire is an annual occurrence in savanna systems and is widely used as a tool in conservation management, the effects of fire on biodiversity remain poorly understood. This study investigated the response of ant assemblages, a key component of invertebrate diversity, to burning in two dominant savanna ecosystems (spinifex uplands and sandplain) in the Australian semi-arid tropics. A total of 180 pitfall traps were established in each habitat and each sampling period (wet and dry season). We collected a total of 89 046 ants from 18 genera, representing 126 species. The response of ant assemblages to fire varied with habitat type. We relate this response to habitat-specific fire induced differences in microhabitat structure and the vertical distribution of biomass. There were large differences in assemblage composition in the spinifex habitat, where vegetation composition and structure varied considerably between burnt and unburnt sites. In contrast, assemblages were largely resilient to single fire events in the sandplain, where vegetation change following fire was less pronounced. This study highlights the need for conservation managers to be aware of how different habitats respond to fire and what the consequences of different management actions might be.},
	doi = {10.1016/j.jaridenv.2006.08.005},
	author = {Barrow, L and Parr, CL and KOHEN, J}
}
