Ants can play an important role in forest ecology. By digging underground tunnels, they help aerate the soil. The air can enter the soil and provide oxygen to the roots of plants and trees. Ants also carry decaying plant material below the surface. This helps recycle plant material so that it can be used to enrich the soil.
Ants provide food for birds like chickadees, woodpeckers and blue jays.
Toads, turtles and salamanders also feed on ants.