Effect of different termite feeding groups on P sorption and P availability in African and South American savannas |
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Authors: | Danilo López-Hernández Michel Brossard Jean-Claude Fardeau Michel Lepage |
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Institution: | (1) Laboratorio de Estudios Ambientales, Instituto de Zoología Tropical, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Apdo, 47058 Caracas, Venezuela;(2) IRD, Valpédo, BP 64501, 34394 Montpellier Cedex 5, France;(3) DB/SRA-CEN Cadarache, 13108 St. Paul lez Durance Cedex, France;(4) Laboratoire d'Ecologie, UMR 7625, E.N.S., 46 rue d'Ulm, 75230 Paris Cedex 05, France;(5) IRD, 01BP181 Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso |
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Abstract: | Nest structures of six termite species, four with epigeous (above-ground) and two with subterranean nests were analysed to
find out how their building and feeding habits could be related to their nests phosphorus status compared with control soils.
Termite nest structure was found to affect significantly the P status in savanna soils: mounds of the African Trinervitermes geminatus and the South American Nasutitermes ephratae (both grass-feeders) displayed a greater amount of available P, especially in the inner part of the nest, than the surrounding
soil. The abundant quantities of dead grass material stored in the mound can explain the available soil P increase. A similar
increase in P availability was also found for the soil-feeder Cubitermes severus. In mounds of Macrotermes bellicosus, on the other hand, there was a drastic increase in P sorption (and a corresponding decrease in available P) compared to
adjacent soils, which was attributed to the building strategy of this species. M. bellicosus selected clay from subsoil to build its nest structure. The data obtained for the subterranean species Ancistrotermes cavithorax and Microtermes toumodiensis indicated also that there is an increase in P sorption in mounds when compared with associated topsoils. Consequently, the
nest structures of only certain termite species should be considered, and utilised, as a soil amendment in place of fertilisers.
This impact on the P cycle in savannas seems to be related to the termite feeding status and to the type of material utilised
in nest building. This should be taken into account before using termite nest material in soil fertility status improvement. |
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Keywords: | Termite nests Savannas P sorbing P availability Soil fertility |
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