Nutrient Cycling in Australian Savannas

Abstract

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Assessing the Relative Efficiency of Termite Sampling Methods along a Rainfall Gradient in African Savannas

“…They are responsible for the redistribution of soil particles and alter the mineral and organic composition of soils, as well as their hydrology (Jones et al 1994, Konaté et al 1999, Mando et al 1996. They are considered the dominant invertebrate decomposers in such tropical systems (Collins 1981, Holt 1987, Schuurman 2005 and hence influence nutrient cycling and distribution (Holt & Coventry 1990, Lepage et al 1993. Termites are also a moderately diverse group comprising a number of feeding groups, including: wood feeders, grass harvesters 3 and soil feeders, which exert different ecological effects on ecosystems (Donovan et al 2002, Josens 1983.…”

Seasonal activity patterns of African savanna termites vary across a rainfall gradient

“…They are considered ecosystem engineers, altering soil composition and hydrology (Jones et al, 1994;Mando et al, 1996) and are the dominant invertebrate decomposer in these environments (Collins, 1981;Holt, 1987;Schuurman, 2005), playing an important role in nutrient cycling (Holt and Coventry, 1990;Lepage et al, 1993;Konaté et al, 1999). They are also sensitive to moisture and temperature levels (AbenspergTraun and De Boer, 1990;Smith and Rust, 1994;Korb and Linsenmair, 1998), and thus expected to respond to seasonal variation.…”

Nutrient cycling between soil and leaf litter in the Cerrado (Brazilian savanna) on eutrophic and dystrophic Neosols

“…These differences between calcareous and typical (more acidic) soils are in accordance with other cerrado areas (Haridasan 1988;Souza et al 2017) and forest communities of the Cerrado (Haridasan & Araújo 1988). Moreover, OM, which also was higher in Area 1, may be even important in providing nutrients for plants in the cerrado (Goodland & Ferri 1979), riparian forests of the Cerrado (Moreno & Schiavini 2001) and Australian savannas (Holt & Coventry 1990). Even in experiential situations of OM addition, the results usually indicate pH increase and decrease in Al saturation (Wong & calcareous and arenite cerrado over one year (mean ± S.E.).…”