CO2 Emission from Epigeal Mounds of Non-Fungus Growing Termites in a
Seasonal Tropical Forest, Thailand
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.