Influence of soil type on the properties of termite mound nests in Southern India

Jouquet, Pascal; Guilleux, Nabila; Shanbhag, Rashmi Ramesh; Subramanian, S.

doi:10.1016/j.apsoil.2015.08.010

Cited by 42 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…It was only the mound found in AbakIkot that had height that is greater than diameter but reverse was the case in others. Normally termite mound should grow more in height than breadth (base diameter), hence this 'abnormal' occurrence must be associated with characteristic torrential rainfall which take place between March and November (i.e., up to 10 months) of each year, accompanying low clay content and soil moisture conditions (Abe et al, 2009;Jouquet et al, 2015). The importance of moisture condition originated from the dominance of coarse texture fragment within the profiles of coastal plain sands which imposes free drainage (high infiltration rate) and low water holding capacity (Obi et al, 2011;Obi et al, 2014).…”

Section: Effect Of Termite Activities On the Surface And Subsurface Soilmentioning

confidence: 99%

Termite activities and surface characteristics of coastal plain sands

Obi¹,

Ibia²,

Isaiah³

2019

Agro-Sci.

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This study evaluated the effect of mound building termites on the increase in the quantity of fine particles of the dimension of clay on the surface of coastal plain sands of south-eastern Nigeria. Six termite mounds were selected in different locations, destroyed completely and sampled in three replications. Surface and subsurface soils were sampled within the periphery of the termite mounds in similar replications as the mounds. Samples were processed and analyzed in the laboratory. Data were analysed using ANOVA, correlation and principal component. Termite mounds were not common but massive, with base diameter more extensive than height. The major determinants (responsible for 28%) of the effects of termite activities on the surface characteristics are total sand, clay and silt + clay. Termite mounds were similar to the surface soil in available phosphorus, exchangeable sodium and potassium, effective cation exchange capacity, fine sand and silt. These similarities result from homogenization through erosion and redistribution of the mound material within the surface soil vicinity. The fortified mound materials redistributed in surface soil vicinity is responsible for the high clay, elevated pH, enhanced effective cation exchange capacity, improved structural stability, minimized leaching and subsequently improved fertility of coastal plain sands.

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Section: Effect Of Termite Activities On the Surface And Subsurface Soilmentioning

confidence: 99%

Termite activities and surface characteristics of coastal plain sands

Obi¹,

Ibia²,

Isaiah³

2019

Agro-Sci.

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“…The diversity of termite mounds makes large-scale comparisons of termite mounds across species and regions extremely challenging. As a result, no substantive effort has been made to holistically discuss the relationship between environmental conditions and the structural form of mounds; any conclusions that have been drawn have been over a limited georgraphic region or limited to a single species (e.g., Korb 2003;Jouquet et al 2015). The only known online reference available that covers multiple geometric areas is devoted to nest structures (Mesomorph 2017).…”

Section: Meta-analysis Of Mound Structuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Much of the literature on termite mounds points to climate as the primary factor affecting the form of the termite mound. Only recently, Jouquet et al (2015) suggested that mound shape complexity was impacted more by soil properties than by climate influences. This meta-analysis suggests that, although climate is correlated with the size of mounds, available soil types may have a stronger influence on the resulting mound shape.…”

Section: Mounds As Response To Climatementioning

confidence: 99%

Termite Mounds: Bioinspired Examination of the Role of Material and Environment in Multifunctional Structural Forms

et al. 2018

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“…Some researchers argue that the low SOM content in termite mound could be due to low SOM soil from subsoil used for mound construction [26]. Higher SOM for control soil was obtained by Jouquet et al in relation to the termite mound [27]. In contradiction to this study, higher SOM content in termite mound in relation to the surrounding soil was obtained by Ackerman et al in which the feeding habit and materials used for construction of the termite mound contributed to the elevated SOM [23].…”

Section: Soil Organic Matter Total Nitrogen and Av Pmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The difference in CEC between control soil and termite mound could be due to change in clay type as termites work on soil which is explained by different researchers [27,31]. Termites either decrease or increase clay's chemically active surface area which affect the soil's CEC content.…”

Section: Exchangeable Cations and Cecmentioning

confidence: 99%

Soil Physic-chemical Properties in Termite Mounds and Adjacent Control Soil in Miyo and Yabello Districts of Borana Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Deke¹

2016

AJAF

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Abstract:This study was conducted in two districts of Borana (Yabello and Miyo). The objective of the study was to examine the soil texture and macronutrient distribution in termite mounds in relation to adjacent soil. Standard procedures were used to analyse the soil physic-chemical properties. One way ANOVA was used to compare results among control soil, external termite mound and internal termite mound materials. The study revealed that termites had produced a soil different in soil texture and some nutrient content than the surrounding soils. Internal termite mound at both study sites were enriched with clay in relation to external and control soil. SOM and CEC contents of control soils were higher at Boku Luboma. SOM content of external termite mound at Did Yabello was lower in relation to internal termite mound and control soil. The termite mound at Did Yabello had higher CEC content in relation to the surrounding soil. Ex. Ca content of termite mound did not show significant difference in relation to control soil. Termite activities enriched mound soil with Exchangeable potassium content. In order to design proper termite management techniques, termite species in Borana should be identified. There is no trend of termite mound use as soil amendment in Borana. In future, amount of termite materials to be incorporated to soil to increase crop yield and socio economic factors that affect use of termite materials as soil amendment should be studied.

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Influence of soil type on the properties of termite mound nests in Southern India

Cited by 42 publications

References 38 publications

Termite activities and surface characteristics of coastal plain sands

Termite activities and surface characteristics of coastal plain sands

Termite Mounds: Bioinspired Examination of the Role of Material and Environment in Multifunctional Structural Forms

Soil Physic-chemical Properties in Termite Mounds and Adjacent Control Soil in Miyo and Yabello Districts of Borana Zone, Southern Ethiopia

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