How can Macrotermes termites provide ecosystem ...

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Adjacent savannah. The high C and N content in T was due to the faecal organic matter accumulation and saliva incorporation by M. subhyalinus workers and ...
How can Macrotermes termites provide ecosystem services in a savannah woodland in Burkina Faso, West Africa Saran Traoréa, b, c*, Mulualem Tigabud, Jean S. Ouédraogoe, Sita Guinkoc, Michel Lepagef aUFR/

24th IUFRO World Congress Salt Lake City, UTAH, USA, October 5 – 11, 2014

Introduction

Objectives Main objective

fire and ungulate herbivory that alter soil

soil macrofauna. However, termites like Macrotermes subhyalinus Rambur play a key role as ecosystem engineers.

Results

Conclusion

To assess an ecosystem service provided by termites M. subhyalinus in environment subjected to controlled livestock grazing and fire regimen.

M, subhyalinus termite rehandled and stored

faecal organic matter accumulation and

Termites play a key role in provision and

significant C and N content in T comparing

saliva incorporation by M. subhyalinus

maintenance of ecosystem services. The organic

with ET and RQ (Fig. 3) while fire and/or

workers and stock in mound during soil

C and N rich termitaria have significant

rehandling. Termitaria therefore, constitute beneficial effect on savanna functioning to

grazing had no significant effects.

small nutrient reservoirs available in

Termitarium was significantly enriched in

savannah as service/goods. Further to erosion

promote plant growth and biodiversity refugia

effects the materials will be redistributed to

at small-scale in managed-area.

organic N and was a particular microsite as

Materials and methods

Discussion The high C and N content in T was due to the

Tropical savannah experiences recurring bush

carbon and nitrogen budget, vegetation and

Sciences et Techniques, Université polytechnique de Bobo, 01 BP 1091, Burkina Faso. [email protected] b Laboratoire d’Etude de Recherche sur la Fertilité -IDR, Université polytechnique de Bobo, Burkina Faso c Laboratoire de Biologie et Ecologie Végétales, UFR/SVT, Université de Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso d SSFRC, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences SE-230 53 Alnarp, Sweden e Département Production Forestière / INERA–CNRST, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso f Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Specific objective compared with the adjacent savannah

supply adjacent savannah with organic C and N to ensure woody species recovery, multiple

A split-plot experiment was established in

To assess C and N budget on termitaria and in

taxa conservation and valuable timber

1992 at Tiogo forest in Burkina Faso, West

adjacent savannah.

production at low cost.

Tiogo forest

Africa (Fig.1) to study long-term impact of fire and grazing on the ecosystem. The main plot factor was grazing (with or without) and sub-plot factor was fire (with or without) Termitarium

with 4 replications, yielding a total of 16

(T)

Adjacent savannah

Fig.1. Location of the study site in the Tiogo forest, Burkina Faso

sub-plots, Within each sub-plot, 3 soil samples were collected from 0-30 cm depth on vegetated termitarium (T), extended termitosphere (ET) at 5m from mound base and rest of the sub-plot (RQ) over 5m (Fig.2) to quantify C and N content. RESEARCH POSTER PRESENTATION DESIGN © 2012

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Photo 1. Vegetated termitarium (T) of M. subhyalinus

Fig.2. Lay-out of microsites for soil sampling in Tiogo forest Fig.3. Soil N and N content (mean ± SE) in Tiogo forest

Corresponding and presenting author: Saran Traoré UFR- ST/ UPB, 01 BP 1091 Bobo, Burkina Faso. Tel. +22670263819; [email protected]