Termites' sensitivity to temperature affects global wood decay rate

Through this study, researchers learned that termites are pivotal when it comes to breaking down wood, contributing to the earth’s carbon cycle. They also discovered that termites are significantly sensitive to temperature and rainfall; this means that as temperatures rise, the insect’s role in wood decay will likely expand beyond the tropics.

Asian subterranean termite (Coptotermes gestroi) soldier in carton nest.: C. gestroi is a wood-feeding termite. (Photo by Thomas Chouvenc)

Amy Zanne with graduate student Mariana Nardi and postdoctoral fellow Paulo Negri from Universidade Estadual de Campinas: Near termite mounds in tropical cerrado savanna in Chapada dos Veadieros National Park. (Photo by Rafael Oliveira)

Wood-feeding termites from Far North Queensland, Australia. (Original photos by Rebecca Clement. Artwork by Donna Davis)

A radiata pine wood block, partially eaten by termites : Far North Queensland, Australia. (Photo by Rhiannon Dalrymple)

The UP team ran field experiments in a relatively wet savanna near Hoedspruit and further north in a much more arid savanna in the Nwanedi Nature Reserve (Photo Credit: Katherine Bunney)

The experiment used wood blocks in decomposition bags to measure the rate of decay

The difference between the open and closed bags

C. gestroi is a wood-feeding termite.
Near termite mounds in tropical cerrado savanna in Chapada dos Veadieros National Park.
Far North Queensland, Australia.

Researchers

Professor Mark Robertson

Professor Mark Robertson is a lecturer in the Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria. He is interested in biological invasions, species distributions, community ecology and the role that invertebrates play in ecosystem processes.

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