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Carbon mineralization in semi-arid northeastern Australia: the role of termites

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

John A. Holt
John A. Holt
Affiliation:
Division of Soils, CSIRO, PMB PO Aitkenvale, Townsville, Queensland 4814, Australia
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Abstract

The contribution of a population of mound building, detritivorous termites (Amitermes laurensis (Mjöberg)) to nett carbon mineralization in an Australian tropical semi-arid woodland has been examined. Carbon mineralization rates were estimated by measuring daily CO2 flux from five termite mounds at monthly intervals for 12 months. Carbon flux from the mounds was found to be due to microbial activity as well as termite activity. It is conservatively estimated that the association of A. laurensis and the microbial population present in their mounds is responsible for between 4%–10% of carbon mineralized in this ecosystem, and the contribution of all termites together (mound builders and subterranean) may account for up to 20% of carbon mineralized. Regression analysis showed that rates of carbon mineralization in termite mounds were significantly related to mound moisture and mound temperature. Soil moisture was the most important factor in soil carbon mineralization, with temperature and a moisture X temperature interaction term also exerting significant affects.

Keywords

Australiacarbon mineralizationmicrobial activitynutrient cyclingsemi-arid tropicstermites
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Tropical Ecology , Volume 3 , Issue 3 , August 1987 , pp. 255 - 263
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1987

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