Termite diversity along a land use intensification gradient in a semi-arid savanna

Muvengwi, Justice; Mbiba, Monicah; Ndagurwa, Hilton G.T.; Nyamadzawo, George; Nhokovedzo, Polite

doi:10.1007/s10841-017-0019-7

Cited by 33 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…Overall, the recorded termite diversity in the Org-High system is similar to results in studies from Zimbabwe [48] and Nigeria [49], where 7 and 10 genera (respectively) were found in agricultural fields. Our study corroborates the observation of comparatively low termite diversity in agro-ecosystems and confirms the hypotheses that termites are not resilient towards pronounced anthropogenic disturbance [50].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

The impact of conventional and organic farming on soil biodiversity conservation: a case study on termites in the long-term farming systems comparison trials in Kenya

et al. 2020

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Background: A long-term experiment at two trial sites in Kenya has been on-going since 2007 to assess the effect of organic and conventional farming systems on productivity, profitability and sustainability. During these trials the presence of significant numbers of termites (Isoptera) was observed. Termites are major soil macrofauna and within literature they are either depict as 'pests' or as important indicator for environmental sustainability. The extent by which termites may be managed to avoid crop damage, but improve sustainability of farming systems is worthwhile to understand. Therefore, a study on termites was added to the long-term experiments in Kenya. The objectives of the study were to quantify the effect of organic (Org) and conventional (Conv) farming systems at two input levels (low and high) on the abundance, incidence, diversity and foraging activities of termites. Results:The results showed higher termite abundance, incidence, activity and diversity in Org-High compared to Conv-High, Conv-Low and Org-Low. However, the termite presence in each system was also dependent on soil depth, trial site and cropping season. During the experiment, nine different termite genera were identified, that belong to three subfamilies: (i) Macrotermitinae (genera: Allodontotermes, Ancistrotermes, Macrotermes, Microtermes, Odontotermes and Pseudocanthotermes), (ii) Termitinae (Amitermes and Cubitermes) and (iii) Nasutitiermitinae (Trinervitermes). Conclusions:We hypothesize that the presence of termites within the different farming systems might be influenced by the types of input applied, the soil moisture content and the occurrence of natural enemies. Our findings further demonstrate that the organic high input system attracts termites, which are an important, and often beneficial, component of soil fauna. This further increases the potential of such systems in enhancing sustainable agricultural production in Kenya.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 85%

The impact of conventional and organic farming on soil biodiversity conservation: a case study on termites in the long-term farming systems comparison trials in Kenya

et al. 2020

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“…While encroached areas might be expected to provide favourable habitat for termites due to increased canopy cover and woody plant abundance that provides increased UV protection and buffering of extreme soil temperatures (Figure S1), as well as an increase in the availability of dead wood, which serves as a food source for termites (Eggleton et al., ; Jones et al., ; Muvengwi, Mbiba, Ndagurwa, Nyamadzawo, & Nhokovedzo, ), termite abundance was lower in encroached areas. Termite abundance in the encroached areas could be lower because the encroaching woody species, D. cinerea , is suggested to be a poor food source for termites: it is frequently used in house construction and for fence posts due to its resistance to termite attack (Arbonnier, ; Brokensha, Warren, & Werner, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Woody encroachment slows decomposition and termite activity in an African savanna

Leitner

Davies

Parr

et al. 2018

Global Change Biology

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Woody encroachment can lead to a complete switch from open habitats to dense thickets, and has the potential to greatly alter the biodiversity and ecological functioning of grassy ecosystems across the globe. Plant litter decomposition is a critical ecosystem process fundamental to nutrient cycling and global carbon dynamics, yet little is known about how woody encroachment might alter this process. We compared grass decay rates of heavily encroached areas with adjacent nonencroached open areas in a semi-arid South African savanna using litterbags that allowed or excluded invertebrates. We also assessed the effect of woody encroachment on the activity of termites- dominant decomposer organisms in savanna systems. We found a significant reduction in decomposition rates within encroached areas, with litter taking twice as long to decay compared with open savanna areas. Moreover, invertebrates were more influential on grass decomposition in open areas and termite activity was substantially lower in encroached areas, particularly during the dry season when activity levels were reduced to almost zero. Our results suggest that woody encroachment created an unfavourable environment for invertebrates, and termites in particular, leading to decreased decomposition rates in these areas. We provide the first quantification of woody encroachment altering the functioning of African savanna ecosystems through the slowing of aboveground plant decomposition. Woody encroachment is intensifying across the globe, and our results suggest that substantial changes to the carbon balance and biodiversity of grassy biomes could occur.

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“…Disturbance of natural ecosystems may lead to the decline of aboveground plant biomass and diversity as well as the belowground macro‐invertebrates diversity (Hooper et al., ). Disturbance emanating from land‐use change decreased the diversity of both belowground and aboveground macro‐invertebrates, for example, termites (Eggleton et al., ; Muvengwi, Mbiba, Ndagurwa, Nyamadzawo, & Nhokovedzo, ), ants (Bestelmeyer & Wiens, ; Mauda, Joseph, Seymour, Munyai, & Foord, ), beetles (da Silva, Aguiar, Niemelä, Sousa, & Serrano, ; Nestel, Dickschen, & Altiere, ; Perfecto, Armbrecht, Philpott, Soto‐Pinto, & Dietsch, ), and nematodes (Freckman & Ettema, ; Liang, Lavian, & Steinberger, ). However, little is known on the effects of disturbance in the form of abandoned kraal sites on macro‐invertebrates diversity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diversity and abundance of macro‐invertebrates on abandoned cattle kraals in a semi‐arid savanna

Muvengwi

Chikorowondo

Mbiba

et al. 2018

Ecology and Evolution

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Abandoned cattle (Bos taurus) kraals are sources of habitat heterogeneity in dystrophic semi‐arid African savannas with a strong positive effect on soil nutrients and plant productivity. However, little is known regarding how macro‐invertebrate assemblages vary between abandoned kraals and the surrounding savanna matrix. We tested whether herbaceous biomass and basal and aerial covers and soil nutrients have an effect on aboveground and belowground macro‐invertebrate assemblages. Twelve abandoned kraals were contrasted with their paired control plots for soil characteristics, herbaceous productivity, and macro‐invertebrate assemblages in Save Valley Conservancy, Zimbabwe. Abandoned kraals had significantly higher concentrations of soil nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and calcium (Ca) as well as herbaceous biomass and basal and aerial covers than control plots. Both aboveground and belowground macro‐invertebrate species richness were higher on abandoned kraals. However, only belowground macro‐invertebrate diversity (Shannon H′ and Hill number 1) was significantly higher on abandoned kraals. Soil nutrients and herbaceous productivity had positive and significant correlations with the dominant taxa (Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Hemiptera, Isoptera, and Myriapoda) on abandoned kraals. These results add to the growing body of evidence that abandoned kraals exert significant effects on savanna spatial heterogeneity years later, with implications on ecosystem processes and functioning.

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Termite diversity along a land use intensification gradient in a semi-arid savanna

Cited by 33 publications

References 53 publications

The impact of conventional and organic farming on soil biodiversity conservation: a case study on termites in the long-term farming systems comparison trials in Kenya

The impact of conventional and organic farming on soil biodiversity conservation: a case study on termites in the long-term farming systems comparison trials in Kenya

Woody encroachment slows decomposition and termite activity in an African savanna

Diversity and abundance of macro‐invertebrates on abandoned cattle kraals in a semi‐arid savanna

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