Abstrakt: |
A potentially fundamental role of termites in influencing the soil properties andprocesses of the terrestrial ecosystems is gapped here. This research on tlandscape of termite soil mounds and soil properties and their influence on microbial groups and communities is focused on the Nallamalla forest ecosystem. The soil samples were obtained from the termite hills and gardens, and then they were examined for texture, moisture level, pH, total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN) and available phosphorus (P). Data demonstrate that the sand/clay ratio of mound soils increased to more than twice (45%). 2%), moisture content (15. 2%), pH (7. 0), TOC (2. 0%), TN (0. The doblows (as parabolic shaped discs of plant-like growth is referred to) are deeprooted (up to 2m or 20 cm), exudate P (20.1 mg/kg) to a level that is over three times that of the surrounding soils. While, in the termite mound soil microbial community chains analysis indicates the higher bacterial and fungal diversity (Proteobacteria - the dominant group with a share of 35%, and Actinobacteria - the other most representative group that has 25%), the main fungal groups are Ascomycota (they have 50% share) and Basidiomycota (30%). This implies that the role of termites is that there is a major influence soil properties and microbial communities and this should be known since they play the ecosystem function and maintain resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |