The Ecological Importance of Ants Ants fill a great number of important ecological roles in the environment.
Some species prey on other invertebrates.
Other species feed on seeds and, by carrying seeds back to the nest, aid in the plant dispersal. Still others feed on sugary exudates from plants, aphids and some butterfly caterpillars. In return for these carbohydrate-rich food rewards, ants tend their food providers, protecting them against natural enemies. Some ant species dramatically improve soil quality through their nesting activities. Ants concentrate organic matter around their nests and some of this is broken down into nutrients available to plants.