Emil Andersson

I am a biologist with a lifelong interest in ants, really in most aspects of their lives – ecology, conservation, diversity, behavior, and evolution. My current research focuses on the ecological factors that influence where ants establish and survive in managed forests, with a particular emphasis on wood ants in the Formica rufa group. I am based at the Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre in Alnarp and I began my PhD studies in December 2023.

My PhD project consists of four studies concerning ants – in particular red wood ants (Formica rufa group) – and Swedish forestry.

Red wood ants are characteristic species of Swedish coniferous forests. Their nests host a wide range of other arthropods, while at the same time serving as an important food source for, among others, woodpeckers. They can therefore be considered keystone species. Despite this, we currently know relatively little about the conditions and trends of their populations, or which measures are most effective for their conservation.

In the first and second studies, I identify wood ants collected during the Swedish National Forest Inventory (2021–2025). I will analyze how different environmental factors recorded in the inventory correlate with the presence of wood ants in general, and whether there are differences among the species.

The third study examines ant communities in newly established stands of fast-growing deciduous trees, with a particular focus on whether wood ants colonize these stands.

The fourth study addresses the survival of wood ants after clear-cutting. Here, I investigate whether the colonies’ survival improves if retention trees are concentrated directly around the nest.

My supervisors are:

Lisa Petersson, SLU

Therese Löfroth, SLU

Jouni Sorvari, LUKE

Mats Niklasson, SLU

I have supervised one student thesis (link).

If you are a student looking for a thesis project focusing on ants, or if you have your own project idea where you think I would be a suitable supervisor, you are very welcome to get in touch.

• Orientation and tactile communication in the red wood ant Formica polyctena. 2020. University of Copenhagen. Master’s thesis.

• Janssen, R., Andersson, E., Betnér, E. et al. Embryonic expression patterns and phylogenetic analysis of panarthropod sox genes: insight into nervous system development, segmentation and gonadogenesis. BMC Evol Biol 18, 88 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12862-018-1196-z

• En myra som inte finns? Problem med de biologiska begreppen art, liv, och kön. 2017 Uppsala universitet. Bachelor’s thesis.

• Nordic Oikos 2024 Conference – ECR Poster Award – First place.

• Andersson E. et al. Do short-rotation fast-growing broadleaf stands provide good habitats for forest ants? Presentation. 9th Central European Workshop of Myrmecology 8-11 september 2024. Brukenthal Acta Musei XIX.3

• Andersson, E. et al. Red wood ant (Formica rufa group) survival in clearcuts can be increased by concentrating retention trees to an area surrounding the ant mounds. Poster. IUFRO World Conference 23-29 juni 2024.

• Andersson, E. et al. Using NFI data on mound occurrence and forest variables to evaluate how forest management practices have impacted red wood ants (Formica rufa-group). Poster. IUFRO World Conference 23-29 juni 2024.

• Andersson, E. Ants in old and new managed forests: risks and opportunities for biodiversity. Poster. Nordic Oikos Conference 12-15 mars 2024.

• Andersson, E. Links between red wood ant (Formica rufa-group) mound densities and past/present forest management in Sweden. Presentation. IBFRA conference 28-31 augusti 2023.