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CO2 Emission from Epigeal Mounds of Non-Fungus Growing Termites in a Seasonal Tropical Forest, Thailand
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  • Warin Boonriam,
  • Pongthep Suwanwaree,
  • Sasitorn Hasin,
  • Akinori Yamada
Warin Boonriam
Mahidol University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Pongthep Suwanwaree
Suranaree University of Technology
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Sasitorn Hasin
Valaya Alongkorn Rajabhat University under the Royal Patronage
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Akinori Yamada
Nagasaki University Faculty of Environmental Studies Graduate School of Fisheries Science and Environmental Studies
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Abstract

Termites, as main decomposers, are major contributors driving carbon cycle by litter decomposition. Termites were emphasized as one of high CO2 emission sources of spatial variation in soil respiration. The aim of this study was to compare CO2 emissions from the epigeal mounds of non-fungus growing termites in dry evergreen forest of Thailand. CO2 emission was directly measured on mounds and surrounding soils of five termite species (n = 5) with a portable infrared gas analyzer connected to PVC pipes during the wet season (October 2015) and the dry season (January 2016). The CO2 emissions were significantly different between termite species. Globitermes sulphureus had the highest nest CO2 emission (37.7 ± 14.7 µmol m-2 s-1 Mean ± SD), followed by Microcerotermes crassus, Termes comis, Termes propinquus and Dicuspiditermes makhamensis, respectively. CO2 emissions in termite mounds and their surrounding soil were significantly higher in wet season than dry season. Globitermes sulphureus and M. crassus mounds produced significantly more CO2 than surrounding soils but T. propinquus and D. makhamensis produced significantly less CO2 than surrounding soils. Therefore, G. sulphureus and M. crassus are major CO2 producers among non-fungus growing termites in a tropical forest.