This review summarizes the information available on ant biodiversity patterns, how it can be
quantied, and how biodiversity is aected by human impacts such as land use change, pollution,
invasions, and climate change. The role of ants in ecosystems is discussed, mainly from the perspective
of the eects of ground-dwelling ants on soil processes and function, emphasizing their role
as ecosystem engineers. Some lines of research are suggested after demonstrating the gaps in our
current information on ant-soil interactions.