Influence of Termite Diversity on Soil Properties and Silicon Dynamics. A Case Study in the Angkor Forest, Cambodia
Résumé
The differentiation of termite species into functional groups provides insight into the diversity of their nest-building and feeding strategies. While numerous studies have focused on their impacts on carbon dynamics, there is a notable gap in understanding how termite bioturbation influences the dynamics of silicon in ecosystems, particularly in relation to its availability to plants. This study aims to investigate how termite bioturbation (both by fungal-growing species, FG, and non-fungal species, NFG, that build arboreal or above-ground nests) affect silica dynamics in ecosystems. Termite nests were sampled in forests surrounding Angkor Temple in Cambodia, and their elemental soil properties and amounts in phytoliths and plant available silicon (SiCacl2) were analyzed. Our findings confirmed the distinct properties of FG nests. However, we also observed that NFG arboreal and above-ground nests exhibited significantly different properties, particularly with higher organic matter content and fine soil particles (silt and clay) in comparison with the other treatments. Moreover, nesting and building strategies were found to explain variations in phytolith abundance in nest soils, with higher values recorded in NFG above-ground mounds compared to other nest types. NFG nests also showed elevated levels of SiCaCl2 compared to the surrounding soil, while FG nests displayed intermediate levels. In conclusion, this study highlights the role of termites as important agents in the recycling of silicon in ecosystems. By accumulating phytoliths and SiCaCl2 in their nests, termites are likely to enhance the availability of Si to plants, with NFG species having a particularly significant impact.
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