Spatial structure of rainforest termites: Two matched pioneering cross‐continental case studies

Abstract

AbstractTermites are vital parts of the soil biota in tropical regions, but their spatial ecology is barely studied. Here, termites were surveyed in two one‐hectare plots, to investigate spatial patterns of soil‐dwelling termites in old growth rainforest. Ecological interactions tested were as follows: (1) environmental relationships; (2) termite feeding groups; and (3) termites and predatory ants. The studies were in Africa (Gabon, Ivindo) and in Asia (Malaysia, Sabah, Danum Valley). In both locations, the wood‐feeding termites had an aggregated spatial structure at fine scales, while the humus‐feeding termites had a continuous distribution. Environmental variables were similar, but only two associations were consistent across sites. Termite feeding groups along the humification gradient were consistently disassociated. Significant associations were detected between predatory ants and termites in both sites: however, their scale and direction differed. This shows that the termite‐mediated ecosystem processes associated with wood‐ and humus‐feeding termite were provided at similar spatial scales, but that for humus‐feeding termites the intensity varied due to differences between the two plots. Competition at the functional level may be an important interaction, the nature of which is affected by resource availability, which is more limiting for wood‐feeding termites. We hypothesize that predation by ants may be important, but the structure of these relationships varies between the two study plots. All of these preliminary patterns need to be tested in fully replicated studies, but future studies may be constrained due to the sampling effort being so great for even a single survey.Abstract in French is available with online material.