Katherine Bunney

Katherine Bunney is a PhD candidate at the Department of Zoology and Entomology at the University of Pretoria. Her study looks at the functional role of termites in savanna ecosystems.


Research by Katherine Bunney

  • Story

    UP part of international study that reveals role of termites in earth’s carbon cycle

    The University of Pretoria (UP) recently participated in an international study led by the University of Miami to investigate termite and microbial wood discovery and decay. Termites release carbon from the wood as methane and carbon dioxide, which are two of the most important greenhouse gases and may increasingly contribute to greenhouse-gas emissions with climate change.

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    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.

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