Termites and Ecosystem Function
نویسندگان
چکیده
The several ways termites interact with the plant-soil-litter system are outlined in a conceptual web of pathways to show how distinct actions of termites may impact ecosystem functioning, either positively or negatively. That is, because of their several modes of feeding and nesting, termites may act as agents of decomposition or pedogenesis, pests, competitors of grazing livestock, or as sources of greenhouse gases. In addition, these same feeding and nesting modes lead to the establishment of symbiotic interactions between termites and organisms ranging from microbes to invertebrates and vertebrates, and even plants. All this confers upon termites a role on ecosystem functioning that goes far beyond that of a mere link in the food web.
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