Species-level termite methane production rates

Area of Science:

• Ecology and Biogeochemistry: Focuses on the role of termites in greenhouse gas emissions and ecosystem processes.

Background:

• Termites are significant sources of methane (CH4), a potent greenhouse gas, contributing 1%-5% to global emissions.
• Estimates of termite CH4 emissions rely on biomass and production rates, which vary greatly among species, yet understanding of this variation is limited.

Approach:

• A comprehensive literature review of termite CH4 production rates from 1975 to 2021 was conducted using Google Scholar.
• Data from 134 termite species, measured via incubation methods, were extracted, standardized to μg CH4 g-1 h-1, and analyzed.

Key Points:

• Termite CH4 production rates span 0 to 25.26 μg CH4 g-1 h-1, averaging 3.74 μg CH4 g-1 h-1.
• Methane production rates were concentrated in the Termitidae family, with soil feeders exhibiting higher rates than wood feeders.
• The current dataset represents less than 5% of described termite species, indicating substantial data gaps.

Conclusions:

• This compilation provides a foundational dataset for termite CH4 production rates, essential for refining global emission models.
• Further research is crucial to fill data gaps and advance understanding of termites' role in biogeochemical cycles.