Termite sensitivity to temperature affects global wood decay rates.

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Climate Science
• Biogeochemistry

Background:

• Deadwood represents a substantial global carbon reservoir, influenced by biotic decomposition processes.
• Microbial decay rates are sensitive to climatic factors like temperature and precipitation.
• Termites are key tropical decomposers, yet their climate sensitivities and impact on carbon pools are less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the climate sensitivities of termite wood decomposition.
• To estimate the potential impact of climate change on deadwood carbon pools due to termite activity.
• To compare termite decomposition rates with microbial decay in response to temperature.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from 133 study sites across six continents.
• Analyzed termite wood discovery and consumption rates in relation to temperature and precipitation.
• Compared termite decomposition sensitivities with known microbial decay responses.

Main Results:

• Termite wood consumption demonstrated high sensitivity to temperature, increasing over 6.8-fold per 10°C rise.
• Termite decay rates were found to be more temperature-sensitive than microbial decay.
• The most significant termite decay impacts were observed in tropical seasonal forests, savannas, and subtropical deserts.

Conclusions:

• Warming trends and tropicalization are projected to expand the range and activity of termites.
• Increased termite activity will likely accelerate deadwood decomposition, altering global carbon cycling.
• Understanding termite-climate interactions is crucial for predicting future carbon storage dynamics.