Ant Farmers | Fungus Garden

Inhabitat just published a post in their "Biomimicry Manual" on leaf-cutter ants, comparing them to sustainable agricultural practices. Apparently leaf-cutter ants collect leaves as mulch to grow a specific type of fungus that they feed off of. The ants and the fungi have a mutualistic symbiotic relationship, in which the fungus transforms nutrients into a form the ants are able to consume, and the ants help the fungus grow while providing protection. More detailed information on how this works is here.

-Liana