scholarly journals Termite mound cover and abundance respond to herbivore‐mediated biotic changes in a Kenyan savanna

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grace K. Charles ◽  
Corinna Riginos ◽  
Kari E. Veblen ◽  
Duncan M. Kimuyu ◽  
Truman P. Young
Keyword(s):  
Termite Mound

Experimental Study on Sand and Cement Replacement by Termite Mound Soil

2019 ◽  
pp. 279-287
Author(s):  
Harish R ◽  
Ramesh S ◽  
Tharani A ◽  
Mageshkumar P
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Experimental Investigation ◽  
Compressive Strength ◽  
Natural Environment ◽  
Fine Aggregate ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Termite Mound ◽  
Cement Concrete ◽  
Cement Ratio ◽  
Compressive Strength Of Concrete

This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation of the compressive strength of concrete cubes containing termite mound soil. The specimens were cast using M20 grade of concrete. Two mix ratios for replacement of sand and cement are of 1:1.7:2.7 and 1:1.5:2.5 (cement: sand: aggregate) with water- cement ratio of 0.45 and varying combination of termite mound soil in equal amount ranging from 30% and 40% replacing fine aggregate (sand) and cement from 10%,15%,20% were used. A total of 27 cubes, 18 cylinders and 6 beams were cast by replacing fine aggregate, specimens were cured in water for 7,14 and 28 days. The test results showed that the compressive strength of the concrete cubes increases with age and decreases with increasing percentage replacement of cement and increases with increasing the replacement of sand with termite mound soil cured in water. The study concluded that termite mound cement concrete is adequate to use for construction purposes in natural environment.

scholarly journals The role of termite CH<sub>4</sub> emissions on ecosystem scale: a case study in the Amazon rain forest

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hella van Asperen ◽  
João Rafael Alves-Oliveira ◽  
Thorsten Warneke ◽  
Bruce Forsberg ◽  
Alessandro Carioca de Araujo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rain Forest ◽  
Emission Factor ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Ch4 Emission ◽  
Termite Mound ◽  
Flux Chamber ◽  
Termite Mounds ◽  
Ch4 Emissions ◽  
Amazon Rain Forest

Abstract. The magnitude of termite methane (CH4) emissions is still an uncertain part of the global CH4 budget and current emission estimates are based on limited field studies. We present in-situ CH4 emission measurements of termite mounds and termite mound sub samples, performed in the Amazon rain forest. Emissions of five termite mounds of the species Neocapritermes brasiliensis were measured by use of a large flux chamber connected to a portable gas analyser, measuring CH4 and CO2. In addition, the emission of mound sub samples was measured, after which termites were counted, so that a termite CH4 and CO2 emission factor could be determined. Mound emissions were found to range between 17.0–34.8 nmol mound−1 s−1 for CH4 and between 1.6–13.5 μmol mound−1 s−1 for CO2. A termite emission factor of 0.32 μmol CH4 gtermite−1 h−1 was found, which is twice as high as the only other reported average value for the Amazon. By combining mound emission measurements with the termite emission factor, colony sizes could be estimated, which were found to range between 50–120 thousand individuals. Estimates were similar to literature values, and we therefore propose that this method can be used as a quick non-intrusive method to estimate termite colony size in the field. The role of termites in the ecosystems CH4 budget was evaluated by use of two approaches. Termite mound emission values were combined with local termite mound density numbers, leading to an estimate of 0.15–0.71 nmol CH4 m−2 s−1 on average emitted by termite mounds. In addition, the termite CH4 emission factor from this study was combined with termite density numbers, resulting in an estimate of termite emitted CH4 of ~1.0 nmol m−2 s−1. Considering the relatively low net CH4 emissions previously measured at this ecosystem, we expect that termites play an important role in the CH4 budget of this Terra Firme ecosystem.

Chemistry, mineralogy and microbiology of termite mound soil eaten by the chimpanzees of the Mahale Mountains, Western Tanzania

1999 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 565-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
William C. Mahaney ◽  
Jessica Zippin ◽  
Michael W. Milner ◽  
Kandiah Sanmugadas ◽  
R. G. V. Hancock ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sandy Loam ◽  
Termite Mound ◽  
Mahale Mountains ◽  
Mahale Mountains National Park ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Bacteria And Fungi ◽  
And Control ◽  
Very High ◽  
Control Samples

Subsamples of termite mound soil used by chimpanzees for geophagy, and topsoil never ingested by them, from the forest floor in the Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania, were analysed to determine the possible stimulus or stimuli for geophagy. The ingested samples have a dominant clay texture equivalent to a claystone, whereas the control samples are predominantly sandy clay loam or sandy loam, which indicates that particle size plays a significant role in soil selection for this behaviour. One potential function of the clays is to bind and adsorb toxins. Although both termite mound and control samples have similar alkaloid-binding capacities, they are in every case very high, with the majority of the samples being above 80%. The clay size material (<2 μm) contains metahalloysite and halloysite, the latter a hydrated aluminosilicate (Al2Si2O4·nH2O), present in the majority of both the termite mound soil and control soil samples.Metahalloysite, one of the principal ingredients found in the pharmaceutical Kaopectate™, is used to treat minor gastric ailments in humans. The soils commonly ingested could also function as antacids, as over half had pH values between 7.2 and 8.6. The mean concentrations of the majority of elements measured were greater in the termite mound soils than in the control soils. The termite mound soils had more filamentous bacteria, whereas the control soils contained greater numbers of unicellular bacteria and fungi.

?Magnetic? termite mound surfaces are oriented to suit wind and shade conditions

Oecologia ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 91 (3) ◽  
pp. 385-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter M. Jacklyn
Keyword(s):  
Termite Mound

scholarly journals Aquifer Potential Assessment in Termites Manifested Locales Using Geo-Electrical and Surface Hydraulic Measurement Parameters

Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 2107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamilu Bala Ahmed II ◽  
Biswajeet Pradhan ◽  
Shattri Mansor ◽  
Zainuddin M. Yusoff ◽  
Salamatu Abraham Ekpo
Keyword(s):  
Structural Features ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Termite Mound ◽  
Termite Mounds ◽  
Fractured Bedrock ◽  
Electrical Sounding ◽  
Aquifer Potential ◽  
Surrounding Areas ◽  
Bedrock Aquifer ◽  
Mound Sites

In some parts of tropical Africa, termite mound locations are traditionally used to site groundwater structures mainly in the form of hand-dug wells with high success rates. However, the scientific rationale behind the use of mounds as prospective sites for locating groundwater structures has not been thoroughly investigated. In this paper, locations and structural features of termite mounds were mapped with the aim of determining the aquifer potential beneath termite mounds and comparing the same with adjacent areas, 10 m away. Soil and species sampling, field surveys and laboratory analyses to obtain data on physical, hydraulic and geo-electrical parameters from termite mounds and adjacent control areas followed. The physical and hydraulic measurements demonstrated relatively higher infiltration rates and lower soil water content on mound soils compared with the surrounding areas. To assess the aquifer potential, vertical electrical soundings were conducted on 28 termite mounds sites and adjacent control areas. Three (3) important parameters were assessed to compute potential weights for each Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) point: Depth to bedrock, aquifer layer resistivity and fresh/fractured bedrock resistivity. These weights were then compared between those of termite mound sites and those from control areas. The result revealed that about 43% of mound sites have greater aquifer potential compared to the surrounding areas, whereas 28.5% of mounds have equal and lower potentials compared with the surrounding areas. The study concludes that termite mounds locations are suitable spots for groundwater prospecting owing to the deeper regolith layer beneath them which suggests that termites either have the ability to locate places with a deeper weathering horizon or are themselves agents of biological weathering. Further studies to check how representative our study area is of other areas with similar termite activities are recommended.

Unveiling Plant-Beneficial Function as Seen in Bacteria Genes from Termite Mound Soil

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 421-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Jesuorsemwen Enagbonma ◽  
Olubukola Oluranti Babalola
Keyword(s):  
Termite Mound
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