Albert Juliette, Meunier Jean-Dominique, Muon Ratha, Syaukani Syaukani, Jouquet Pascal
The differentiation of termite species into functional groups provides insight into the diversity of their nest-building and feeding strategies. While numerous studies have focused on their impacts on carbon dynamics, there is a notable gap in understanding how termite bioturbation influences the dynamics of silicon in ecosystems, particularly in relation to its availability to plants. This study aims to investigate how termite bioturbation (both by fungal-growing species, FG, and non-fungal species, NFG, that build arboreal or above-ground nests) affect silica dynamics in ecosystems. Termite nests were sampled in forests surrounding Angkor Temple in Cambodia, and their elemental soil properties and amounts in phytoliths and plant available silicon (SiCacl2) were analyzed. Our findings confirmed the distinct properties of FG nests. However, we also observed that NFG arboreal and above-ground nests exhibited significantly different properties, particularly with higher organic matter content and fine soil particles (silt and clay) in comparison with the other treatments. Moreover, nesting and building strategies were found to explain variations in phytolith abundance in nest soils, with higher values recorded in NFG above-ground mounds compared to other nest types. NFG nests also showed elevated levels of SiCaCl2 compared to the surrounding soil, while FG nests displayed intermediate levels. In conclusion, this study highlights the role of termites as important agents in the recycling of silicon in ecosystems. By accumulating phytoliths and SiCaCl2 in their nests, termites are likely to enhance the availability of Si to plants, with NFG species having a particularly significant impact. © The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Sociedad Chilena de la Ciencia del Suelo 2025.
Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, IRD, Sorbonne Université, University Paris Est Creteil, CNRS, INRAe, UMR iEES-Paris), Paris, France; IRD, INRAE, CEREGE, CNRS, Aix-Marseille University, Aix-en-Provence, 13545, France; Research and Innovation Center, Faculty of Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering, Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC), Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Biology Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Darussalam, Banda Aceh, 23111, Indonesia
Research at a Glance
Register to unlock
Topics & SDG Alignment
Register to unlock
Collaboration
Register to unlock
Author Profile (Selected)
Register to unlock
References Overview
Register to unlock
Journal & Source
Register to unlock
Metadata & Integrity
Register to unlock