%0 Article
%T About the distribution and ecology of Formica rufa -group in Finland
%A Wuorenrinne, Heikki
%D 1974
%J Silva Fennica
%V 8
%N 3
%R doi:10.14214/sf.a14751
%U https://silvafennica.fi/article/4907
%X <p>The paper describes the systematics, distribution, abundance and nest sites of <em>Formica rufa</em> -group in different Finnish forest types. In addition, it has been estimated the availability of Finnish ants in the biological competition.</p>
<p><em>F. polyctena, F. aquilonia</em> and <em>F. lugubris</em> are distributed over whole Finland. <em>F. rufa</em> and <em>F. nigricans</em> to Southern Finland only. The relative abundace of ant nests diminish to Northern Finland.<em> F. rufa</em> -group prefer most forest on moist land (<em>Myrtillus</em> and <em>Oxalis-Myrtillus</em> types), mixed forests of Norway spruce (<em>Picea abies</em> (L.) H. Karsts), Scots pine (<em>Pinus sylvestris</em> L.) and birch (<em>Betula</em> sp.), and the silvicultural density 0.6–0.7 (good or satisfactory density), but they avoid broadleaved and pure one-tree species forests. For the biological competition the most competitive ant species seem to be <em>F. polyctena</em> and <em>F. aquilonia.</em></p>
<p>The PDF includes a summary in English.</p>