Analysis of Factors Affecting Termite Damage to Wooden Architectural Heritage Buildings in Korea

Abstract

Many wooden architectural heritage buildings exist in Korea, and the authenticity and structural stability of these cultural assets are being affected by termites. This study aimed to identify the degree of termite damage and related factors in these buildings. The degree of termite damage to 182 nationally designated wooden architectural heritage buildings (national treasures and treasures) in Korea was quantified, and data were collected for 11 factors affecting termite damage, such as the surrounding environment and architectural features. Based on the results of a general linear model analysis, the following three factors were identified to have a significant effect on termite damage: the type of contact between the ground and wooden structural items, the number of days of termite activity, and the proportion of forests in the land surrounding the property. This study is the first attempt to statistically analyze factors affecting termite damage to wooden heritage buildings, and our results provide initial data for the preservation and management of these properties.

Feeding Preference of Vexatious Microtermes obesi (Wheat Termite) (Blattodea: Termitidae)

“…in a single year in some countries is of less cost than the damage caused by termites to houses. Antique temples are to be pounced by termites in Asia 7 . An important role is also by the interaction of animals to manipulate environmental conditions according to concentration and nature, thus interaction among termites and ants manipulate the environment being a natural predator of termites thus limiting the role of the environment 8 .…”

Entomopathogenic Potential of <em>Bacillus velezensis</em> CE 100 for the Biological Control of Termite Damage in Wooden Architectural Buildings of Korean Cultural Heritage

“…Termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) are eusocial detritophagous feeders with symbiotic hindgut protozoa that enable them to feed on the cellulosic wood matter, causing enormous wood damage, especially in wooden architectural buildings of cultural heritage worldwide [1][2][3][4]. Traditional wooden architectural buildings have been mainly designated as national treasures in various countries due to their significance as rich assets of cultural heritage [2,3].…”

“…Termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) are eusocial detritophagous feeders with symbiotic hindgut protozoa that enable them to feed on the cellulosic wood matter, causing enormous wood damage, especially in wooden architectural buildings of cultural heritage worldwide [1][2][3][4]. Traditional wooden architectural buildings have been mainly designated as national treasures in various countries due to their significance as rich assets of cultural heritage [2,3]. In Korea, the traditional wooden structures are mainly built using pine wood (Pinus densiflora) which is highly palatable and thus prone to tunneling damage caused by subterranean termites (Reticulitermes speratus kyushuensis Morimoto) species [2,5,6].…”

“…Traditional wooden architectural buildings have been mainly designated as national treasures in various countries due to their significance as rich assets of cultural heritage [2,3]. In Korea, the traditional wooden structures are mainly built using pine wood (Pinus densiflora) which is highly palatable and thus prone to tunneling damage caused by subterranean termites (Reticulitermes speratus kyushuensis Morimoto) species [2,5,6]. Generally, wood tunneling damage by insect pests such as subterranean termite species is among the major factors that cause structural deterioration in wooden buildings of cultural heritage [2-4, 6, 7].…”

“…Despite the difficulties in the precise determination of the economic losses caused by termite damage, the available reports point to an undisputedly increasing trend in termite activity (and other tunneling insect pests) due to changes in global climate [9,13]. Besides the irreversible tunneling damage on appearance and stability wooden architectural buildings, termite damage also entails the cost of pest control, the side effects of termiticides, the disruption of eco-tourism, interference with social-cultural traditions and the loss of cultural heritage, which cannot be economically estimated [2,3,14].…”