The “Ants of Cyprus” website: a dynamic, online awareness raising and conservation tool

By

Demetriou, Jakovos
Georgiadis, Christos
Salata, Sebastian
Borowiec, Lech
Dillen, Mathias
Groom, Quentin
Economo, Evan
Roy, Helen
Martinou, Angeliki F.

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2025-1-28

Original Publication

Biodiversity data journal

Volume

13

Pages

1--17

Subjects

Biodiversity , community science , Formicidae , Google sites , Online resources , website

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia Pensoft Publishers [2013]-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.13.e141679

 

Abstract

Ants are an important arthropod group due to their involvement in ecological processes amongst others as ecosystem engineers or predators, but some invasive alien species are also implicated in detrimental environmental, economic and human health effects. Despite recent advancements, the ant biodiversity of Cyprus is still in need of further research with previous online species inventories synthesising a checklist of just 65 native and 10 alien species. The “Ants of Cyprus” website (https://sites.google.com/view/ants-of-cyprus) aims to: (1) raise public awareness and increase local knowledge on the biodiversity and ecological significance of ants, (2) provide ecological data and (3) enhance conservation efforts and management practices for native and alien ant species, respectively. This dynamic, user-friendly website has been designed for use by the scientific community, conservation officers and the wider public and it will be regularly updated as new information and data are generated. Additionally, this information will be critical for reporting on progress towards biodiversity targets and goals.