Work

Engineering biodiversity from within: Termites reshape deadwood as habitat in subtropical forests

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Research Highlights: Ci, H., Guo, C., Sai, B.‐L., Tuo, B., Zhao, W.‐W., Qin, H.‐T., Zhang, T., Yan, E.‐R., & Cornelissen, J. H. C. (2025). The wood economics spectrum modulates the positive effects of termite foraging intensity on deadwood invertebrate diversity. Functional Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365‐2435.70021 . Deadwood supports biodiversity and stores carbon, yet most research has focused on temperate fungi‐driven systems. In subtropical forests, Ci et al. (2025) reveal how termites act as biodiversity engineers by selectively feeding on wood with acquisitive traits and importing soil, creating microhabitats that enhance invertebrate richness. Surprisingly, wood traits alone did not predict diversity; instead, termite activity mediated biodiversity outcomes. These effects varied between sites, indicating context dependency. This study further highlights termites' role as ecosystem engineers. It opens new avenues to explore how termites influence broader decomposition and carbon cycling processes.

Source: Functional Ecology

DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.70069

Author: Baptiste Wijas

Institutions: The University of Queensland, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies

Language: English

Topic: Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Studies

Subfield: Insect Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Life on land

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,000