The importance of subterranean termites in semi-arid ecosystems in south-eastern Australia

Whitford, Walter G.; Ludwig, John A.; Noble, J. C.

doi:10.1016/s0140-1963(18)30659-1

Cited by 68 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Such landscape patches are described as 'fertile islands' (Garner and Steinberger 1989) or 'environmental resource patches' (Forman and Godron 1981). These smaller-scale landscape patches are rich habitats for all kinds of biological organisms, both vertebrates and invertebrates, such as ants and termites Whitford et al 1992).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial organisation of landscapes and its function in semi-arid woodlands, Australia

1995

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The spatial organisation of three major landscape types within the semi-arid woodlands of eastern Australia was studied by a detailed analysis of gradient-oriented transects (gradsects). The aim was to characterise the spatial organisation of each landscape, and to account for that organisation in functional terms related to the differential concentration of scarce resources by identifiable processes. Terrain, vegetation and soils data were collected along each gradsect. Boundary analysis was used to identify the types of landscape units at a range of scales. Soil analyses were used to determine the degree of differential concentration of nutrients within these units, and to infer the role of fluvial and aeolian processes in maintaining them. All three major landscape systems were found to be highly organised systems with distinctive resource-rich units or patches separated by more open, resource-poor zones. At the largest scale, distinct groves of trees were separated by open intergroves. At smaller-scales, individual trees, large shrubs, clumps of shrubs, fallen logs and clumps of grasses constituted discrete patches dispersed across the landscape. Our soil analyses confirmed that these patches act as sinks by filtering and concentrating nutrients lost from source areas (e.g., intergroves). We suggest that fluvial runoff-runon and aeolian saltation-deposition are the physical processes involved in these concentration effects, and in building and maintaining patches; biological activities also maintain patches. This organisation of patches as dispersed resource filters (at different scales) has the overall function of conserving limited resources within semi-arid landscape systems. Understanding the role of landscape patchiness in conserving scarce resources has important implications for managing these landscapes for sustainable land use, and for the rehabilitation of landscapes already degraded.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial organisation of landscapes and its function in semi-arid woodlands, Australia

1995

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“…Soil biota play a critical role in maintaining soilbased processes in semi-arid landscapes although direct links between such diverse taxa and rates and efficiency of various landscape functions are much less clear (Giller et al, 1997;Jones et al, 1994;Whitford, 2002;Whitford et al, 1992). Even though preliminary studies have shown clear spatial patterning of surface soil features 'engineered' by vertebrates such as the burrowing bettong (Bettongia lesueur) (Noble et al, 2007) and invertebrates such as the harvester termite (Drepanotermes perniger) (Noble et al, 1989), little is known of the relationships between vegetation mosaics and ecosystem processes and their mediation by soil invertebrates in semi-arid ecosystems of Australia.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Termites are amongst the most abundant invertebrates found throughout the Australian arid zone (Noble and Tongway, 1986) and, as 'litter transformers', have a significant influence on particular ecosystem processes including nutrient cycling (Noble and Tongway, 1988;Whitford et al, 1992). In addition to having an influential role in the decomposition of both above-and belowground plant residues, they also produce macropores facilitating infiltration by rainwater (Eldridge, 1994;Elkins et al, 1986;Greene et al, 1990;Leonard and Rajot, 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The significance of termites as decomposers in contrasting grassland communities of semi-arid eastern Australia

Noble

Müller

Whitford

et al. 2009

Journal of Arid Environments

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“…Termites are an extremely abundant arid-zone fauna group which are particularly important in maintaining ecosystem function (Mackay 1991;Whitford et al 1992; Morton and James 1988). Unfortunately, arid-zone termites are very dicult to study since they are primarily subterranean (MacKay 1991) and hence are not readily sampled in pitfall traps (James 1989;Predavec and Dickman 1993;Landsberg et al 1996;personal observations).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are geckos useful bioindicators of air pollution?

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1998

Oecologia

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The response of an Australian arid-zone gecko community to sulphur dioxide and salt spray from a mine and industrial site was investigated from 1992 to 1995. Geckos were abundant and fecund at control sites in chenopod shrubland and annual capture rates were strongly influenced by minimum night temperatures. Capture rate and percentage of females gravid at sites exposed to high concentrations of air pollutants were significantly lower than at control sites. Discrepancies between control and impacted sites were greatest for the termite-specialist geckos Diplodactylus conspicillatus and Rhynchoedura ornata. An increase in capture rates and percentage of females gravid at sites close to the industrial site, followed a reduction in peak sulphur dioxide emissions. Geckos may be sensitive and useful bioindicators of the environmental impacts of some atmospheric pollutants.

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The importance of subterranean termites in semi-arid ecosystems in south-eastern Australia

Cited by 68 publications

References 10 publications

Spatial organisation of landscapes and its function in semi-arid woodlands, Australia

Spatial organisation of landscapes and its function in semi-arid woodlands, Australia

The significance of termites as decomposers in contrasting grassland communities of semi-arid eastern Australia

Are geckos useful bioindicators of air pollution?

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