A new paper suggests there are 20 quadrillion ants roaming our planet right now. The number equals just about the entirety of human biomass on Earth — and this might be a conservative estimate. Scientists must quantify how many ants, as well as other animals and insects, exist on Earth because the climate crisis is forcing global temperatures to rise and therefore putting these organisms at risk of extinction. The study provides an important baseline for ant populations, so we know how these insects’ communities might change in tandem with a warming climate.Read Long Article
