Abstract
Termites are key organisms in tropical soil processes, accounting for a marked role in pedobioturbation and nutrient cycling. We report on the mound-building termite effects across a representative soil/vegetation gradient in Ironstone Rupestrian Grassland (canga) in Carajás, Brazilian Amazonia. This complex is formed by three main different environments: Grassland, Low forest and Tall forest. The chemical composition of termite mounds was compared with adjacent soil in all environments; also the termite species richness and abundance were estimated. Termite richness varied across the Ironstone Rupestrian Grassland complex: 24 genera in Tall forest >18 genera in Low forest >9 genera in Grassland. Termite activity significantly increased the concentration of organic matter, available P and exchangeable Ca, K, N, Mg in the soil. Mound-building termites comprised 70 % of termite species in Grassland decreasing to 40 % in deeper forested soils. The chemical improvements resulting from mound-building termite activities were relatively more relevant to Grassland compared with Forests. Mound-building termites are key organisms in structuring the Ironstone Rupestrian Grassland complex in Amazonian ironstone.
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Acknowledgments
To Vale S.A. (CVRD) for the logistic support. Research project funding by The State Funding Agency of Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) (Project: Geodiversidade dos Ambientes de Canga na Região de Carajás, PA, Brasil). AM post-doctoral grant is held by National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq 150255/2015-2). ODS holds a CNPq Fellowship (305736/2013-2).
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Schaefer, C.E.G.R., Marins, A., Corrêa, G.R., deSouza, O., Nunes, J.A. (2016). Termite Role in Soil Nutrient Cycling in Ironstone Rupestrian Grasslands (Canga) in Carajás, Brazilian Amazonia. In: Fernandes, G. (eds) Ecology and Conservation of Mountaintop grasslands in Brazil. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29808-5_16
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