How many ants live on Earth at any given time? You'll never guess

Summary
A new study estimates a staggering 20 quadrillion ants inhabit Earth at any time, dwarfing previous guesses. Led by Dr. [Fictional Scientist Name] at [Fictional Institution Name], the research compiled data from 489 studies across diverse habitats, employing rigorous meta-analysis and statistical modeling to arrive at the comprehensive estimate. This immense population underscores ants' crucial role as ecosystem engineers, impacting soil, seed dispersal, and pest control. Understanding their numbers is vital for monitoring environmental changes and guiding conservation efforts, as climate change and habitat loss pose significant threats to ant populations globally. Future research and citizen science initiatives will further refine our knowledge of these tiny, mighty creatures.