Data for: Ant nests increase litter decomposition to mitigate the negative effect of warming in an alpine grassland ecosystem

Warming can decrease feeding activity of soil organisms and affect
biogeochemical cycles in alpine ecosystems. Ants (Formica manchu) are
active on their nest surface, and prefer a hot and dry environment.
Therefore, warming may provide a favorable environment for their activity.
We hypothesized that ants might benefit from warming and increase the
robustness of ecosystem functions to warming. To test this hypothesis, we
examined the effects of ant nests (ant nest absence vs. ant nest presence)
and warming (ambient temperature, + 1.3°C and + 2.3°C) on litter
decomposition, soil properties and the plant community in an alpine
grassland ecosystem. Decomposition stations with two mesh sizes were used
to differentiate effects of microorganisms (0.05mm) and macroinvertebrate
(1cm) to litter decomposition. Ant nests increased litter decomposition
with and without macroinvertebrates accessing the decomposition station
when compared to plots without ant nests. Only the litter decomposition in
ant nests with macroinvertebrates accessing the decomposition station was
not negatively affected by warming. Plots with ant nests had greater soil
organic carbon, nutrient contents and plant growth than plots without ant
nests, regardless of warming. Consequently, ant nests can mitigate the
negative effects of warming on litter decomposition and improve ecosystem
functions under warming.