RESEARCH PROJECTS

Proper respect for cultural and traditional values included a blessing ceremony from a medicine man before Navajo students initiated a study of the biodiversity of ants on the Navajo Reservation	Proper respect for land users on Navajo Trust Lands involves obtaining direct permission from the local people before visiting areas you want to use. Fannie Yazzie was pleased to give the Ant Team permission to work on land in Oak Springs.

Arnold Clifford, an expert botanist, has identified many of the plant species from our ant research study sites. Arnold is also an excellent field guide who has helped us identify ant research sites. See the list of plants from Oak Springs, Arizona	Perry Charley assisted in interpretation of Navajo traditions and values, translation of Navajo culture and language and provided expertise in Uranium Mining including safety precautions and identification of mining sites and radiation zones.

Gary Alpert is collaborating with the Navajo Ant Project research team to collect, identify and conduct field studies on ants. He is associated with the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University. See the list of ants for each habitat and locality in the table below:	Beverly Maxwell is studying the conservation value of ants as an indicator of habitat health. She is the leader of the Ant Research Team. Her research topic is "An Assessment of Ant Biodiversity in Evaluating Undisturbed and Disturbed Areas on the Semi-Arid Lands of the Navajo Reservation"
Amy Mertl is collaborating with the Navajo Ant Project to identify and photograph species of Pheidole and Lasius. She recently completed her PhD at Boston University studyding Pheidole in the Amazon.	Pheidole micula
Oak Springs, Navajo County, Arizona.	Mexican Cry Mesa, Navajo County, Arizona.
Carrizo Mountains, Navajo County, Arizona	Shiprock, San Juan County, New Mexico.
Chuska Mountains, Navajo County, Arizona.	Black Mesa, Apache County, Arizona.

Student interns from the Diné Environmental Institute at Diné College in Shiprock, New Mexico participated and contributed to the Navajo Ant Project.

Student intern Cody Tipler assisted in computer technology, setting up ant transect studies in the field, preparation of research equipment in the laboratory and in photographing and collecting ants. Cody designed and produced equipment to aspirate ants in the field without exposure to uranium dust.	Student intern Vanessa Todacheeny assisted in record keeping, protocol documentation, setting up ant transect studies in the field, logistical support in the laboratory and in photographing and collecting ants. Vanessa also monitored the disturbed uranium mining site and the undisturbed site for levels of radioactivity.

Ant Research Permits are provided by the Navajo Nation Fish and Wildlife Department.

Ant Biodiversity Research on the Navajo Reservation

In recent years there has been a growing interest in fostering an appreciation of nature and promoting a cultural heritage that protects the natural resources that support a healthy environment. All cultures and communities have a basic mutual understanding of ants and often integrate behavioral observations into their religion, morals and proverbs. The study of North American ants and the sharing of this information is fast becoming a common goal of state governments, the National Park Service and many conservation organizations.

There are more than 750 different ant species found in North America. The distribution and identity of each species is based upon collections researched by scientists. Native American lands are virtually an un-known entity when it comes to contributing to an understanding of the abundance and distribution of ants. One of the largest, most geographically and biologically diverse lands is the 26,000 square mile Navajo Reservation which occupies northeastern Arizona and extends into southern Utah and western New Mexico. This project is a scientific study of the ant diversity on Navajo lands with an emphasis on sharing the results with the Navajo community and integrating this knowledge into their cultural heritage. It is estimated that more than 200 different species of ants occur within Navajo lands making it one of the most biologically diverse regions in North America.

The first results from this Navajo Ant Project will be used to modify and improve on the goals of the overall project. A three week initial ant study conducted in the spring of 2008 accomplished the following:

• A Navajo Nation Fish and Wildlife permit has been obtained. An annual report will document the ant research results.
• A long-term collaboration has been set up between the Harvard University, Native American Program and the Diné Environmental Institute of Diné College.
• An ant research team trained in basic field collection techniques and transect studies has been founded under the leadership of Beverly Maxwell.
• A pilot study to collect, identify and photograph ants and their habitats has been initiated. Already, ant species new to science have been discovered on the Navajo Reservation.
• Traditional Navajo cultural values have been integrated with the scientific method. Blessing way ceremonies conducted by a medicine man has been performed prior to initiation of field collection of ants.