The mound-building termite Macrotermes michaelseni as an ecosystem engineer

Abstract

Many organisms create or alter resource flows that affect the composition and spatial arrangement of current and future organismal diversity. The phenomenon called ecosystem engineering is considered with a case study of the mound building termite Macrotermes michaelseni. It is argued that this species acts as an ecosystem engineer across a range of spatial scales, from alteration of local infiltration rates to the creation of landscape mosaics, and that its impacts accrue because of the initiation of biophysical processes that often include feedback mechanisms. These changes to resource flows are likely to persist for long periods and constrain the biological structure of the habitat. The value of ecosystem engineering is discussed as a holistic way of understanding the complexity of tropical ecology.

The importance of termites (Isoptera) for the recycling of herbivore dung in tropical ecosystems: a review

“…These feeding habits make termites important ecosystem engineers, which over long periods of time can modify the physical properties of soil such as texture, water infiltration rates and nutrient content, at various spatial scales (e.g. Dangerfield et al, 1998).…”

Biomimicry of Termite Social Cohesion and Design to Inspire and Create Sustainable Systems

“…It is likely that we can learn much from termites in addressing these issues. Termite modifications have a great impact, in terms of time and space, on the vegetation even after their structures have been abandoned or eroded or their colonies have been disturbed or died (Dangerfield et al 1998) or flooded (Osbrink et al, 2008). The capacity of some termite species to survive under high levels of disturbance may have positive implications for initiating the recovery of soil function and productivity (Dawes, 2010;Colloff et al, 2010).…”

Soil Physical and Chemical Properties in Epigeal Termite Mounds in Pastures

“…Such activities result in changes in ecosystem dynamics through modification, maintenance, or creation of habitats for other organisms (Jouquet et al, 2006;Lavelle et al, 1997). Therefore, termites are considered "ecosystem engineers" (Jouquet et al, 2006;Dangerfield et al, 1998).…”