The Decomposers

Abstract

The litter which every year falls to the ground is decomposed by microflora, by soil fauna, such as termites and by fire. No detailed information is available about the microflora of zonobiome II. Termites can be divided, on the basis of their feeding habits, into three groups: soil-eating, wood-eating and mixed feeders. The first group feeds on decomposing organic matter mixed with mineral soil particles; their faeces form the basis of stable humus. This group of termites is the most common: in a miombo forest, for instance, they form 50% of the termite population. The total biomass of all termites reaches 21.8 kg ha^-1 in dry weight. The second group attacks dead wood, while the third collects whole, dead plant parts, including grasses; both establish underground fungal gardens in their nests. Termites are active almost throughout the year, but not during the driest part of the dry season. During the drought period, fire is the most effective factor causing decomposition by destroying the dry grasses. The microflora are active mainly during the humid season, for only at this time is the hydrature of these poikilohydric microbes sufficiently high.