Carbon mineralization in semi-arid northeastern Australia: the role of termites
- 1 August 1987
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Cambridge University Press (CUP) in Journal of Tropical Ecology
- Vol. 3 (3), 255-263
- https://doi.org/10.1017/s0266467400002121
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
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