How does termites impact the soil?
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Termites impact the soil in various ways. They can alter soil aggregate dynamics, affecting soil aggregate stability and key ecological processes . Termites also play a role in regulating the distribution and diversity of soil microbial communities, with their nesting process influencing microbial diversity and community compositions . Additionally, termites selectively use certain soil constituents to construct their mounds, resulting in changes in soil properties such as increased clay fraction, organic carbon, and iron oxides . The ecosystem engineering of termite mounds creates spatial heterogeneity in communities and ecosystem functions, influencing the composition and diversity of soil microbial communities . Furthermore, termites contribute to the maintenance of soil structural stability and fertility, processing plant organic matter and returning nutrients to the vegetation, making them important for soil restoration and sustainable agricultural practices .
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| Papers (5) | Insight |
|---|---|
| Termites impact the soil by altering its composition and hydrology, improving soil aeration, enhancing water absorption and storage, and facilitating carbon fluxes and storage. They also contribute to the mineralization of organic matter and the production of greenhouse gases. | |
11 Citations | The paper states that termite mounds create spatial heterogeneity in soil microbial communities and ecosystem functions by redistributing nutrients across the landscape. |
| Termites impact the soil by selectively using soil constituents to construct their mounds, resulting in changes in the physical and chemical properties of the soil. | |
7 Citations | Termites impact the soil by altering soil properties through the construction of massive nests, which promote substrate heterogeneity. This nesting process decreases microbial diversity and the relative abundance of rare taxa in the soil. The shift in pH induced by termite nesting is a major driver shaping the microbial community profiles in termite mounds. |
1 Citations | Termites impact the soil through bioturbation, specifically by building soil sheeting. The stability of the sheeting is influenced by the properties of the surrounding soil. |
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How do subterranean termites poses a significant threat?5 answersSubterranean termites pose a significant threat due to their ability to cause extensive damage to various structures and crops. These termites, such as Coptotermes species, are known to be major pests globally, leading to substantial economic losses annually. They infest wooden constructions, agricultural crops, and live trees, resulting in billions of dollars in damages each year. To combat these destructive insects, various control measures are employed, including synthetic insecticides like chlorpyrifos and fipronil, which have shown effectiveness in termite mortality. Additionally, the exploration of biocontrol agents as safer alternatives is gaining importance to mitigate the environmental impact of chemical insecticides and enhance termite management strategies. Therefore, the continuous research and development of control methods are crucial in addressing the threat posed by subterranean termites.
What is termite as a pest?5 answersTermites are destructive pests that cause significant economic losses globally, affecting various crops and structures. They belong to different families like Termitidae, Rhinotermitidae, and Kalotermitidae. These pests, such as Odontotermes obesus and Microtermes obesi, damage crops like wheat, maize, and fruits, leading to substantial yield losses. In India, Heterotermes indicola is a key species causing structural damage to buildings, sometimes forcing villagers to abandon their homes. To combat termite infestations, various control methods are employed, including chemical insecticides, biological agents like fungi and bacteria, and eco-friendly approaches like borate barriers. The use of deep learning technologies for automatic termite recognition is also being explored to aid in pest management.
Why is termite considered as a pest?5 answersTermites are considered pests because they cause economic losses to crops and agricultural systems. They are polyphagous pests, meaning they feed on a wide range of crops and can cause significant damage to agricultural and horticultural crops. Some termite species, such as those belonging to the family Termitidae, are known to cause great losses to crops, leading to almost 100% yield losses. Termites can infest and damage crops at both vegetative and reproductive stages, affecting crops like wheat, maize, barley, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits, plantations, sugarcane, and cotton. Their feeding habits and ability to adapt to various food sources make them potentially harmful during the introduction of new crops. Additionally, termites can also damage farming infrastructure, such as destroying poles. Overall, the ability of termites to cause significant agricultural damage and economic losses classifies them as pests.
What are the interactions between scavenging termites and other organisms?4 answersScavenging termites have interactions with other organisms that can impact ecosystem processes. Ant predation on termites is the most important and widespread interaction, with predatory ant species regulating termite populations and affecting decomposition, plant growth, and nutrient cycling. Some ant species are specialized termite predators, while others engage in opportunistic predation, leading to variations in their impact on ecosystem processes. Additionally, termites have symbiotic relationships with termitophilous animals, including commensalism, mutualism, and neutral symbiosis. Termites also have endosymbionts, such as protozoa, bacteria, fungus, and actinobacteria, as well as ectosymbionts like Termitomyces. These interactions between scavenging termites and other organisms play a crucial role in shaping ecological processes and the stability of ecosystems.
How many termites in the experimental group?5 answersThe number of termites in the experimental group is not mentioned in any of the abstracts provided.