Impacts of fungus-growing termites on surficial geology parameters: A review

This review covers more than twenty-five years of research listing and discussing the biogeochemical, mineralogical, physical impacts fungus-growing termites (or FGT, Macrotermitinae sub-family) on savanna sediments landscapes. The main mechanisms by which FGT transform surficial geological formations in tropical sub-tropical environments is investigated from a perspective potential legacies sedimentary facies are identified. In order to sustain twenty million-year symbiosis with fungus, fungi provide digestible food termites, must optimize living conditions fungus for it thrive. To do so, they build biogenic structure maintaining constant humidity 80% temperature 30 °C any kind environment all year long. Indeed, adapt their (i) modifying grain-size distributions soils where develop, (ii) forming clay horizons below mounds enabling water be stored long period time dry environments, (iii) increasing alkalinity an magnitude two three, (iv) mineralizing around 20% organic carbon savannas, thus making them predominant decomposing organisms crucial actors cycle, (v) concentrating vital nutrients plants animals, creating patches fertile land sandy semi-deserts. Through mound-building activities, substantially increase fraction compared adjacent soil alter 2:1 properties, particularly after removal potassium, leading formation smectite layers, demonstrating biogeochemical effects silicate mineralogy. binding aggregates, strength mound factor ten exceptional weathering resistance mounds. Therefore, impact sub-millimetric transformations solid voluminous landmarks. water-holding capacity leads array positive feedbacks landscape enhancing protection fires, delaying desertification, supporting rebounds seedlings reinforcing dryland recovery drought. Termite bioturbation allows accumulate at rate averaging 1 mm.y?1.ha?1, tends mitigate chemical processes degradation, boosting heterogeneity scale, providing resilience. Some modifications brought will remain periods, testifying past environmental conditions, these proxies paleoenvironmental reconstructions. conclude, not only biological ecosystem, but act as force landscapes well major role cycles. Finally, further recommended regarding termite's saliva agent, age evolution over time.