Effects of termites on the physical and chemical properties of the acid sandy soils of southern Nigeria

Asawalam, D. O.; Osodeke, V. E.; Kamalu, O.J.; Ugwa, I. K.

doi:10.1080/00103629909370321

Cited by 14 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…The importance of termites in the decomposition of plant material is well documented (Wood 1978;Abe 1980;Martius 1994;, and termites also contribute to carbon and nitrogen mineralization, nutrient availability and stimulation of microbial activity (Lobry de Bruyn and Conacher 1990;Martius 1994;Eggleton et al 1996;Lawton et al 1996;Lavelle et al 1997;Okwakol 2000). The construction of large epigeal nests and extensive underground gallery systems has major effects on soil characteristics, especially soil physico-chemical structure and properties (Anderson and Wood 1984;Nutting et al 1987;Dangerfield et al 1998;Asawalam et al 1999) as well as infiltration, water status and rainfall use efficiency (Watson 1969;Arshad 1982;Eldridge 1994;Konatè et al 1999;Lèonard and Rajot 2001). Nest building activities, which are typical for higher termites (Termitidae), provide nutrient-enriched microhabitats within the savanna soils (Watson 1977;Arshad 1982;Pomeroy 1983;Nyamphene 1986;Donovan et al 2001), which in turn may facilitate vegetation growth (Hesse 1955;Lal 1988;Watson 1976Watson , 1977.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Mound building termites contribute to savanna vegetation heterogeneity

2009

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With biomass densities comparable to large ungulates and megaherbivores, termites play a key functional role in many tropical savanna ecosystems. This study focuses on vegetated termite mounds (termitaria) constructed by the Termitidae species Macrotermes herus. We studied how resource rich termitaria affect graminoid herbs (Poaceae and Cyperaceae), forbs and woody species composition and diversity. The density of termitaria explained 89% of the variation in dense thickets in the area. Fire tolerant Acacia species dominated the open savanna while fire sensitive species like Grewia spp. and the succulent Euphorbia candelabrum were restricted to termite mounds. Termitaria plots had four times the mean number of woody species and supported three times as many forb species as the adjacent savanna. For woody species, both the Shannon-Wiener index and the Shannon evenness index were higher on temitaria than on the savanna. There were no differences for graminoid herbs, except for the Shannon evenness index which was higher on termitaria. Our results indicate that graminoid herb richness peaks at lower productivity levels than trees and forbs in savanna ecosystems, as also recently found in temperate areas.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Mound building termites contribute to savanna vegetation heterogeneity

2009

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“…30 Termites mediate the synthesis and breakdown of soil organic matter and influence water infiltration and availability to plants by modifying soil structure. [31][32][33][34][35] They influence soil physical properties through the construction of mounds, nests, galleries and surface sheeting 31,34,36 and also by transporting materials, thereby producing passages which improve drainage and aeration. [37][38][39] Mound-building termites form stable microaggregates that physically protect occluded organic matter against rapid decomposition and reduce soil erosion and crust formation.…”

Section: Soil Biology: Role Of Soil Biodiversity and Functions (Ecosymentioning

confidence: 99%

Agrobiodiversity and Potential Use for Enhancing Soil Health in Tropical Soils of Africa

Ayuke¹,

Karanja²,

Okello³

et al. 2012

Soils and Food Security

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Land degradation and soil fertility decline is often cited as a major constraint to crop production in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). As mineral and organic fertilisers are often limited in quantity and quality, soil fertility research has focused on developing integrated management strategies to address soil fertility decline. Soil biotas are an essential component of soil health and constitute a major fraction of global terrestrial biodiversity. Within the context of Integrated Soil Fertility Soils and Food Security rsabook22chapter5.3d 8/8/12 18:40:44

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“…1). In general, soils that are modified by termite activity have higher amounts of CaCO 3 than neighboring unmodified soils (Milne 1947;Lee and Wood 1971a, b;Arshad 1981;Moore and Picker 1991;Asawalam et al 1999). This is (Lal 1987).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Calcium carbonate in termite galleries – biomineralization or upward transport?

2006

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Termites and soil calcium carbonate are major factors in the global carbon cycle: termites by their role in decomposition of organic matter and methane production, and soil calcium carbonate by its storage of atmospheric carbon dioxide. In arid and semiarid soils, these two factors potentially come together by means of biomineralization of calcium carbonate by termites. In this study, we evaluated this possibility by testing two hypotheses. Hypothesis 1 states that termites biomineralize calcium carbonate internally and use it as a cementing agent for building aboveground galleries. Hypothesis 2 states that termites transport calcium carbonate particles from subsoil horizons to aboveground termite galleries where the carbonate detritus becomes part of the gallery construction. These hypotheses were tested by using (1) field documentation that determined if carbonate-containing galleries only occurred on soils containing calcic horizons, (2) 13 C/ 12 C ratios, (3) X-ray diffraction, (4) petrographic thin sections, (5) scanning electron microscopy, and (6) X-ray mapping. Four study sites were evaluated: a C 4 -grassland site with no calcic horizons in the underlying soil, a C 4 -grassland site with calcic horizons, a C 3 -shrubland site with no calcic horizons, and a C 3 -shrubland site with calcic horizons. The results revealed that carbonate is not ubiquitously present in termite galleries. It only occurs in galleries if subsoil carbonate exists within a depth of 100 cm. 13 C/ 12 C ratios of carbonate in termite galleries typically matched 13 C/ 12 C ratios of subsoil carbonate. X-ray diffraction revealed that the carbonate mineralogy is calcite in all galleries, in all soils, and in the termites themselves. Thin sections, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray mapping revealed that carbonate exists in the termite gut along with other soil particles and plant opal. Each test argued against the biomineralization hypothesis and for the upward-transport hypothesis. We conclude, therefore, that the gallery carbonate originated from upward transport and that this CaCO 3 plays a less active role in short-term carbon sequestration than it would have otherwise played if it had been biomineralized directly by the termites.

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Effects of termites on the physical and chemical properties of the acid sandy soils of southern Nigeria

Cited by 14 publications

References 9 publications

Mound building termites contribute to savanna vegetation heterogeneity

Mound building termites contribute to savanna vegetation heterogeneity

Agrobiodiversity and Potential Use for Enhancing Soil Health in Tropical Soils of Africa

Calcium carbonate in termite galleries – biomineralization or upward transport?

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