Magnitude of the termite problem and its potential anthropogenic causes in Nakasongola district of Uganda

Abstract

Located in central Uganda, the grasslands of Nakasongola face devastation of herbaceous vegetation by subterranean termites. Reduction in the preferred food of termites (plant litter), and loss of their natural predators and parasites are known to be major factors contributing to the damage imposed by termites on grassland vegetation. This review analyzes the situation with respect to termites in the area to draw the attention of ecologists, conservationists, policy makers and farmers, to the current and future threats of subterranean termites to the functioning and sustainability of this ecosystem. The suppressive effect of anthropogenic activities on termites' food resources, populations of natural enemies and the resultant escalation in termite populations is discussed. I hypothesize that tree cutting, overgrazing and overhunting are reducing the food resources and predator populations and, consequently, are enhancing the current destructive behavior of termites in the rangelands of Uganda. It is suggested that intervention for sustainable management of termites in the area should consider restoring their natural food sources and predators to reestablish the ecological equilibrium between termites and other components of the ecosystem.

Determinants of agroforestry adoption as an adaptation means to drought among smallholder farmers in Nakasongola District, Central Uganda

“…The integration of forestry practices into the implemented farming systems offered the farmers anonymous benefits that helped them cope with drought. In addition to alleviating poverty, agroforestry offered a number of ecosystem services and environmental benefits to the smallholder farmers (Zziwa et al, 2012;Alao and Shuaibu, 2013;Mugerwa, 2015). The proven agroforestry practices implemented by the majority of the farmers included agroagrisilviculture, agrosilvopastoral, silvopastoral and apiculture to enhance their food security status.…”

Indigenous Grasses for Rehabilitating Degraded African Drylands

“…Although perennials may produce seed every season, they leave for a few to several years. Generally, grasses selected for reseeding programmes in African drylands should be drought tolerant to survive and perpetuate itself, provide a good quantity of herbage of fair or good grazing value, produce adequate amount of viable seed, which can be easily harvested, and easy to establish (Opiyo et al 2011;Mganga et al 2010;2015). In addition to these characteristics, tolerance to grazing and ability to establish fast during spells of favourable climatic conditions are very important traits in choosing grass species for reseeding (Jordan 1957).…”

“…Grass reseeding has been used successfully as a means of rehabilitating degraded drylands in East Africa (Mganga et al 2010;2015;Opiyo et al 2011;Nyangito et al 2009), thus reversing the degradation process. Indigenous grass species are more successful in reseeding degraded drylands.…”

Economic and ecological importance of termites: A global review

“…Termites play a huge role in organic decomposition, consuming all dying wood materials and plant remains (Mugerwa ; Qasim et al . ).…”

“…Termites play a huge role in organic decomposition, consuming all dying wood materials and plant remains (Mugerwa 2015;Qasim et al 2015). According to Verma et al (2009), in tropical and subtropical environments, they help in breaking down and recycling one-third of the annual production of dead wood.…”