Get new Lab Notes sent to your inbox Submit a note Submit your own Lab Note Share an interesting science story or tell a short one of your own Although ants are well-known as being household pests, most of our terrestrial landscapes would likely be drastically different without them. Ants provide an essential ecosystem service by maintaining soil. They aerate soil by digging tunnels for their nests (which also allows water to reach plant roots), and they mix nutrients through soil.
