Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
SpringerLink
Log in

TERMITES AS MEDIATORS OF THE WATER ECONOMY OF ARID SAVANNA ECOSYSTEMS

  • Chapter
Dryland Ecohydrology

Abstract

Large termite mounds, constructed by colonies of various species of macrotermitine termites (Isoptera, Termitidae, Macrotermitinae), are dominant features of the arid and semi-arid savannas of southern Africa. These mounds can populate a savanna in very high densities, generally one to four colonies per hectare, containing biomass of termites and symbiotic fungi that exceeds the typical biomass of vertebrate and non-termite arthropod herbivores in these systems. Termites’ construction of nest and mound turns over savanna soils at substantial rates, and, like other central-place foragers, they convey significant quantities of inorganic and organic matter into their nests, concentrating it there. In short, macrotermitine termites are “ecosystem engineers”, structuring and controlling to a large extent the flows of energy and matter through tropical savannas (Dangerfield et al. 1998).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Literature Cited

  • Arshad M. A. 1981. Physical and chemical properties of termite mounds of two species of Macrotermes(Isoptera, Termitidae) and the surrounding soils of the semiarid savanna of Kenya. Soil Science 132, 161–174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Batra L. R. and Batra S. W. T. 1979. Termite-fungus mutualism. In Insect-fungus Symbiosis. Nutrition, Mutualism and Commensalism, Ed L R Batra. pp 117–163. John Wiley and Sons, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyer P. 1973. Action de certains termites constructeurs sur l'évolution des sols tropicaux I. Annales des Sciences Naturelles Zoologie Paris sér. 12 15, 329–498.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boyer P. 1975a. Action de certains termites constructeurs sur l'évolution des sols tropicaux II. Etude particuliére de trois termitieres de Bellicositermeset de leur action sur les sols tropicaux. Annales des Sciences Naturelles Zoologie Paris sér. 12 17, 273–446.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyer P. 1975b. Action de certains termites constructeurs sur l'évolution des sols tropicaux III. Les différents aspects de l'action de Bellicositermessur les sols tropicaux. Annales des Sciences Naturelles Zoologie Paris sér. 12 17, 447–504.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell G. S. 1977. An Introduction to Environmental Biophysics. Springer Verlag, New York. 159 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Curtis A. D. and Waller D. A. 1996. The effects of decreased pO2 and increased pCO2 on nitrogen fixation rates in termites. Journal of Insect Physiology 42, 867–872.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dangerfield J. M., McCarthy T. S. and Ellery W. N. 1998. The mound-building termite Macrotermes michaelsenias an ecosystem engineer. Journal of Tropical Ecology 14, 507–520.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Darlington J. P. E. C., Zimmerman P. R., Greenberg J., Westberg C. and Bakwin P. 1997. Production of metabolic gases by nests of the termite Macrotermes jeaneli in Kenya. Journal of Tropical Ecology 13, 491–510.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deshmukh I. 1989. How important are termites in the production ecology of African savannas? Sociobiology 15, 155–168.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elkins N. Z., Sabol G. V., Ward T. J. and Whitford W. G. 1986. The influence of subterranean termites on the hydrological characteristics of a Chihuahuan desert ecosystem. Oecologia 86, 521–528.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holt J. A. and Lepage M. 2000. Termites and soil properties. In Termites: Evolution, Sociality, Symbioses, Ecology, Eds T Abe, D E Bignell and M Higashi. pp 389–407. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht.

    Google Scholar 

  • Konaté S., Le Roux X., Tessier D. and Lepage M. 1999. Influence of large termitaria on soil characteristics, soil water regime, and tree leaf shedding pattern in a west African savanna. Plant and Soil 206, 47–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Korb J. and Linsenmair K. E. 1998a. The effects of temperature on the architecture and distribution of Macrotermes bellicosus(Isoptera, Macrotermitinae) mounds in different habitats of a west African Guinea savanna. Insectes Sociaux 45, 51–65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Korb J. and Linsenmair K. E. 1998b. Experimental heating of Macrotermes bellicosus(Isoptera, Macrotermitinae) mounds: What role does microclimate play in influencing mound architecture? Insectes Sociaux 45, 335–342.

    Google Scholar 

  • Korb J. and Linsenmair K. E. 2000. Ventilation of termite mounds: New results require a new model. Behavioral Ecology 11, 486–494.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee K. E. and Foster R. C. 1991. Soil fauna and soil structure. Australian Journal of Soil Research 29, 745–775.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lobry de Bruyn L. A. and Conacher A. J. 1990. The role of termites and ants in soil modification: A review. Australian Journal of Soil Research 28, 55–93.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lovegrove B. G. 1991. Mima-like mounds (heuweltjies) of South Africa: The topographical, ecological and economic impact of burrowing animals. Symposia of the Zoological Society of London 63, 183–198.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mando A. 1997. The impact of termites and mulch on the water balance of crusted Sahelian soil. Soil Technology 11, 121–138.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mando A., Stroosnijder L. and Brussaard L. 1996. Effects of termites on filtration into crusted soil. Geoderma 74, 107–113.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin M. M. and Martin J. S. 1978. Cellulose digestion in the midgut of the fungus-growing termite Macrotermes natalensis: the role of acquired digestive enzymes. Science 199, 1453–1455.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mermut A. R., Arshad M. A. and St Arnaud R. J. 1984. Micropedological study of termite mounds of three species of Macrotermes in Kenya. Soil Science Society of America Journal 48, 613–620.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Milne G. 1947. A soil reconnaissance journey through parts of Tanganyika Territory, December 1935 to February 1936. Journal of Ecology 35, 192–265.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore J. M. and Picker M. D. 1991. Heuweltjies(earth mounds) in the Clanwilliam District, Cape Province, South Africa: 4000-year-old termite nests. Oecologia 86, 424–432.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nicholson S. E., Kim J., Ba M. B. and Lare A. R. 1997. The mean surface water balance over Africa and its interannual variability. Journal of Climate 10, 2981–3002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pomeroy D. E. 1976. Studies on a population of large termite mounds in Uganda. Ecological Entomology 1, 49–61.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rouland-Lefevre C. 2000. Symbiosis with fungi. In Termites: Evolution, Sociality, Symbioses, Ecology, Eds T. Abe, D. E. Bignell and M. Higashi. pp 289–306. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruelle J. E., Coaton W. G. H. and Sheasby J. L. 1975 National survey of the Isoptera of southern Africa 8. The genus Macrotermes Holmgren (Termitidae: Macrotermitinae). Cimbebasia 3A, 73–94.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomas R. J. 1987. Distribution of Termitomyces and other fungi in the nests and major workers of several Nigerian Macrotermitinae. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 19, 335–341.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner J. S. 2000a. Architecture and morphogenesis in the mound of Macrotermes michaelseni (Sjostedt) (Isoptera: Termitidae, Macrotermitinae) in northern Namibia. Cimbebasia 16, 143–175.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner J. S. 2000b. The Extended Organism. The Physiology of Animal-Built Structures. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner J. S. 2001. On the mound of Macrotermes michaelsenias an organ of respiratory gas exchange. Physiological and Biochemical Zoology 74, 798–822.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • van der Westhuizen G. C. A. and Eicker A. 1990. Species of Termitomycesoccurring in South Africa. Mycological Research 94, 923–937.

    Google Scholar 

  • Veivers P. C., Mühlemann R., Slaytor M., Leuthold R. H. and Bignell D. E. 1991. Digestion, diet and polyethism in two fungus-growing termites: Macrotermes subhyalinusRambur and M. michaelseni Sjøstedt. Journal of Insect Physiology 37, 675–682.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Watson J. P. 1969. Water movement in two termite mounds in Rhodesia. Journal of Ecology 57, 441–451.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watson J. P. 1970. Contribution of termites to development of zinc anomaly in Kalahari sand. Transactions of the Institution of Mineralogy and Metallurgy, (Series B) 79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Watson J. P. 1971. Comparison of chromium51-versenate and tritiated water movement in a termite mound and soil. Soil Science 111, 188–191.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Watson J. P. 1972. The distribution of gold in termite mounds and soils at a gold anomaly in Kalahari sand. Journal of Soil Science 113, 317–321.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Watson J. P. 1974. Calcium carbonate in termite mounds. Nature 247, 74.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Watson J. P. 1977. The use of mounds of the termite Macrotermes falciger(Gerstácker) as a soil amendment. Journal of Soil Science 28, 664–672.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weir J. S. 1973. Air flow, evaporation and mineral accumulation in mounds of Macrotermes subhyalinus. Journal of Animal Ecology 42, 509–520.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weir J. S. 1972. Mechanisms of mineral accumulation in Macrotermes mounds in Africa. In Abstracts of the 14th International Congress of Entomology, Canberra, Australia, 1972. pp 196.

    Google Scholar 

  • West W. F. 1970. The Bulawayo Symposium Papers: no 2. Termite prospecting. Chamber of Mines Journal 30, 32–35.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental & Forest Biology, SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry, Syracuse, NY, 13159, USA

    J. Scott TURNER

Authors
  1. J. Scott TURNER
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, Virginia, U.S.A.

    Paolo D'Odorico

  2. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Turin, Italy

    Amilcare Porporato

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2006 Springer

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

TURNER, J.S. (2006). TERMITES AS MEDIATORS OF THE WATER ECONOMY OF ARID SAVANNA ECOSYSTEMS. In: D'Odorico, P., Porporato, A. (eds) Dryland Ecohydrology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-4260-4_17

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation