Georeferenced field observations of leaf-cutting ant nests in the mountains of central Argentina

Abstract

This dataset contains georeferenced field observations of leaf-cutting ant nests recorded in the mountains of central Argentina. Data were collected through stratified random sampling across different habitat types along an elevational gradient (400–2700 m a.s.l.). The dataset includes presence–absence information for two dominant leaf-cutting ant species, Acromyrmex lobicornis and Acromyrmex crassispinus, surveyed in 250 circular plots of 1,257 m² each (20 m radius) during four growth seasons (2019–2022). For each sampling plot, the dataset provides ant occurrence data together with associated site-level variables, including topographic attributes (elevation and slope), vegetation structure descriptors (cover of native trees, exotic trees, native shrubs, exotic shrubs, tall broadleaf herbs, tall grasses, short plants, bare rock, bare soil, and total vegetation), and indicators of disturbance (fire frequency, time since last fire, and livestock dung deposition).