The spatial distribution of termite activity in grazed and ungrazed Chihuahuan Desert grassland

Abstract

Termites are important in litter decomposition and nutrient cycling in desert grasslands but little is known about the spatial distribution of termites and how spatial patterns are affected by topography and grazing by livestock. We measured the distribution of surface activity by the subterranean termiteGnathamitermes tubiformansin grazed and ungrazed Chihuahuan Desert grassland along 900 m transects that spanned a topographic gradient. Numbers of termite casts on litter and plants were recorded in 900 contiguous 1 m2quadrats along a transect located in a grazed area and in an ungrazed control. Cover of plants and litter were also recorded in 1 m2quadrats every 10 m along each transect.