Articles | Volume 20, issue 19
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-4029-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-20-4029-2023
© Author(s) 2023. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
04 Oct 2023
Research article |
| 04 Oct 2023
| 04 Oct 2023
Carbon dioxide and methane fluxes from mounds of African fungus-growing termites
Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki,
P.O. Box 64, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
Risto Vesala
Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box
64, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
Petri Rönnholm
Department of Built Environment, Aalto University, P.O. Box 14100,
00076, Aalto, Finland
Laura Arppe
Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box
64, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
Petra Manninen
Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki,
P.O. Box 64, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
Markus Jylhä
Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki,
P.O. Box 64, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
Jouko Rikkinen
Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box
64, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
Organismal and Evolutionary Biology Research Programme, Faculty of
Biological and Environmental Sciences, P.O. Box 64, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
Petri Pellikka
Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki,
P.O. Box 64, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
Wangari Maathai Institute for Environmental and Peace Studies,
University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 29053, 00625, Kangemi, Kenya
Janne Rinne
Natural Resources Institute Finland, P.O. Box 2, 00791 Helsinki,
Finland
Department of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science, Lund
University, Lund, Sweden
Related authors
Matti Räsänen, Mika Aurela, Ville Vakkari, Johan P. Beukes, Juha-Pekka Tuovinen, Pieter G. Van Zyl, Miroslav Josipovic, Stefan J. Siebert, Tuomas Laurila, Markku Kulmala, Lauri Laakso, Janne Rinne, Ram Oren, and Gabriel Katul
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 5773–5791, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-5773-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-5773-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The productivity of semiarid grazed grasslands is linked to the variation in rainfall and transpiration. By combining carbon dioxide and water flux measurements, we show that the annual transpiration is nearly constant during wet years while grasses react quickly to dry spells and drought, which reduce transpiration. The planning of annual grazing strategies could consider the early-season rainfall frequency that was linked to the portion of annual transpiration.
Yang Liu, Simon Schallhart, Ditte Taipale, Toni Tykkä, Matti Räsänen, Lutz Merbold, Heidi Hellén, and Petri Pellikka
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 14761–14787, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-14761-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-14761-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We studied the mixing ratio of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) in a humid highland and dry lowland African ecosystem in Kenya. The mixing ratio of monoterpenoids was similar to that measured in the relevant ecosystems in western and southern Africa, while that of isoprene was lower. Modeling the emission factors (EFs) for BVOCs from the lowlands, the EFs for isoprene and β-pinene agreed well with what is assumed in the MEGAN, while those of α-pinene and limonene were higher.
Jalisha Theanutti Kallingal, Marko Scholze, Paul Anthony Miller, Johan Lindström, Janne Rinne, Mika Aurela, Patrik Vestin, and Per Weslien
Biogeosciences, 22, 4061–4086, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-4061-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-4061-2025, 2025
Short summary
Short summary
We explored the possibilities of a Bayesian-based data assimilation algorithm to improve the wetland CH4 flux estimates by a dynamic vegetation model. By assimilating CH4 observations from 14 wetland sites, we calibrated model parameters and estimated large-scale annual emissions from northern wetlands. Our findings indicate that this approach leads to more reliable estimates of CH4 dynamics, which will improve our understanding of the climate change feedback from wetland CH4 emissions.
Martin Rückamp, Gong Cheng, Karlheinz Gutjahr, Marco Möller, Petri K. E. Pellikka, and Christoph Mayer
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3150, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-3150, 2025
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for The Cryosphere (TC).
Short summary
Short summary
The study simulates the 21st-century evolution of Great Aletsch Glacier and Hintereisferner using full-Stokes ice dynamics and surface mass balance under different emission scenarios. Results show significant ice loss, with Hintereisferner expected to disappear by mid-century. Great Aletsch Glacier vanish by the end of the century under high-emission scenarios, but persist under lower-emission scenarios. These trends agree with large-scale models except some variability.
Ross Charles Petersen, Thomas Holst, Cheng Wu, Radovan Krejci, Jeremy Chan, Claudia Mohr, and Janne Rinne
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3410, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3410, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Ecosystem-scale emissions of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) are important for atmospheric chemistry. Here we investigate boreal BVOC fluxes from a forest in central Sweden. BVOC fluxes were measured above-canopy using proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometry, while compound-specific monoterpene (MT) fluxes were assessed using a concentration gradient method. We also evaluate the impact of chemical degradation on observed sesquiterpene (SQT) and nighttime MT fluxes.
Janne Heiskanen, Hanna Haurinen, Chemuku Wekesa, and Petri Pellikka
ISPRS Ann. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci., X-3-2024, 179–185, https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-annals-X-3-2024-179-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-annals-X-3-2024-179-2024, 2024
Jalisha T. Kallingal, Johan Lindström, Paul A. Miller, Janne Rinne, Maarit Raivonen, and Marko Scholze
Geosci. Model Dev., 17, 2299–2324, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-2299-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-17-2299-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
By unlocking the mysteries of CH4 emissions from wetlands, our work improved the accuracy of the LPJ-GUESS vegetation model using Bayesian statistics. Via assimilation of long-term real data from a wetland, we significantly enhanced CH4 emission predictions. This advancement helps us better understand wetland contributions to atmospheric CH4, which are crucial for addressing climate change. Our method offers a promising tool for refining global climate models and guiding conservation efforts
Jalisha Theanutti Kallingal, Marko Scholze, Paul Anthony Miller, Johan Lindström, Janne Rinne, Mika Aurela, Patrik Vestin, and Per Weslien
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-373, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-373, 2024
Preprint archived
Short summary
Short summary
Our study employs an Adaptive MCMC algorithm (GRaB-AM) to constrain process parameters in the wetlands emission module of the LPJ-GUESS model, using CH4 EC flux observations from 14 diverse wetlands. We aim to derive a single set of parameters capable of representing the diversity of northern wetlands. By reducing uncertainties in model parameters and improving simulation accuracy, our research contributes to more reliable projections of future wetland CH4 emissions and their climate impact.
Anna-Maria Virkkala, Pekka Niittynen, Julia Kemppinen, Maija E. Marushchak, Carolina Voigt, Geert Hensgens, Johanna Kerttula, Konsta Happonen, Vilna Tyystjärvi, Christina Biasi, Jenni Hultman, Janne Rinne, and Miska Luoto
Biogeosciences, 21, 335–355, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-335-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-21-335-2024, 2024
Short summary
Short summary
Arctic greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes of CO2, CH4, and N2O are important for climate feedbacks. We combined extensive in situ measurements and remote sensing data to develop machine-learning models to predict GHG fluxes at a 2 m resolution across a tundra landscape. The analysis revealed that the system was a net GHG sink and showed widespread CH4 uptake in upland vegetation types, almost surpassing the high wetland CH4 emissions at the landscape scale.
Ross Petersen, Thomas Holst, Meelis Mölder, Natascha Kljun, and Janne Rinne
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 7839–7858, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-7839-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-7839-2023, 2023
Short summary
Short summary
We investigate variability in the vertical distribution of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in boreal forest, determined through multiyear measurements at several heights in a boreal forest in Sweden. VOC source/sink seasonality in canopy was explored using these vertical profiles and with measurements from a collection of sonic anemometers on the station flux tower. Our results show seasonality in the source/sink distribution for several VOCs, such as monoterpenes and water-soluble compounds.
Matti Räsänen, Mika Aurela, Ville Vakkari, Johan P. Beukes, Juha-Pekka Tuovinen, Pieter G. Van Zyl, Miroslav Josipovic, Stefan J. Siebert, Tuomas Laurila, Markku Kulmala, Lauri Laakso, Janne Rinne, Ram Oren, and Gabriel Katul
Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci., 26, 5773–5791, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-5773-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-26-5773-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The productivity of semiarid grazed grasslands is linked to the variation in rainfall and transpiration. By combining carbon dioxide and water flux measurements, we show that the annual transpiration is nearly constant during wet years while grasses react quickly to dry spells and drought, which reduce transpiration. The planning of annual grazing strategies could consider the early-season rainfall frequency that was linked to the portion of annual transpiration.
Malika Menoud, Carina van der Veen, Dave Lowry, Julianne M. Fernandez, Semra Bakkaloglu, James L. France, Rebecca E. Fisher, Hossein Maazallahi, Mila Stanisavljević, Jarosław Nęcki, Katarina Vinkovic, Patryk Łakomiec, Janne Rinne, Piotr Korbeń, Martina Schmidt, Sara Defratyka, Camille Yver-Kwok, Truls Andersen, Huilin Chen, and Thomas Röckmann
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 4365–4386, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-4365-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-4365-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Emission sources of methane (CH4) can be distinguished with measurements of CH4 stable isotopes. We present new measurements of isotope signatures of various CH4 sources in Europe, mainly anthropogenic, sampled from 2017 to 2020. The present database also contains the most recent update of the global signature dataset from the literature. The dataset improves CH4 source attribution and the understanding of the global CH4 budget.
Janne Rinne, Patryk Łakomiec, Patrik Vestin, Joel D. White, Per Weslien, Julia Kelly, Natascha Kljun, Lena Ström, and Leif Klemedtsson
Biogeosciences, 19, 4331–4349, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-4331-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-4331-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
The study uses the stable isotope 13C of carbon in methane to investigate the origins of spatial and temporal variation in methane emitted by a temperate wetland ecosystem. The results indicate that methane production is more important for spatial variation than methane consumption by micro-organisms. Temporal variation on a seasonal timescale is most likely affected by more than one driver simultaneously.
Jarmo Mäkelä, Laura Arppe, Hannu Fritze, Jussi Heinonsalo, Kristiina Karhu, Jari Liski, Markku Oinonen, Petra Straková, and Toni Viskari
Biogeosciences, 19, 4305–4313, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-4305-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-4305-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Soils account for the largest share of carbon found in terrestrial ecosystems, and accurate depiction of soil carbon decomposition is essential in understanding how permanent these carbon storages are. We present a straightforward way to include carbon isotope concentrations into soil decomposition and carbon storages for the Yasso model, which enables the model to use 13C as a natural tracer to track changes in the underlying soil organic matter decomposition.
Iris Johanna Aalto, Eduardo Eiji Maeda, Janne Heiskanen, Eljas Kullervo Aalto, and Petri Kauko Emil Pellikka
Biogeosciences, 19, 4227–4247, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-4227-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-19-4227-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
Tree canopies are strong moderators of understory climatic conditions. In tropical areas, trees cool down the microclimates. Using remote sensing and field measurements we show how even intermediate canopy cover and agroforestry trees contributed to buffering the hottest temperatures in Kenya. The cooling effect was the greatest during hot days and in lowland areas, where the ambient temperatures were high. Adopting agroforestry practices in the area could assist in mitigating climate change.
P. Rönnholm, S. Wittke, M. Ingman, P. Putkiranta, H. Kauhanen, H. Kaartinen, and M. T. Vaaja
Int. Arch. Photogramm. Remote Sens. Spatial Inf. Sci., XLIII-B2-2022, 633–639, https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLIII-B2-2022-633-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/isprs-archives-XLIII-B2-2022-633-2022, 2022
Peifeng Su, Jorma Joutsensaari, Lubna Dada, Martha Arbayani Zaidan, Tuomo Nieminen, Xinyang Li, Yusheng Wu, Stefano Decesari, Sasu Tarkoma, Tuukka Petäjä, Markku Kulmala, and Petri Pellikka
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 1293–1309, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-1293-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-1293-2022, 2022
Short summary
Short summary
We regarded the banana shapes in the surface plots as a special kind of object (similar to cats) and applied an instance segmentation technique to automatically identify the new particle formation (NPF) events (especially the strongest ones), in addition to their growth rates, start times, and end times. The automatic method generalized well on datasets collected in different sites, which is useful for long-term data series analysis and obtaining statistical properties of NPF events.
Joel Dawson White, Lena Ström, Veiko Lehsten, Janne Rinne, and Dag Ahrén
Biogeosciences Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2021-353, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-2021-353, 2022
Revised manuscript not accepted
Short summary
Short summary
Microbes that produce CH4 play an important role to climate. Microbes which emit CH4 from wetlands is poorly understood. We observed that microbial community was of importance in explaining CH4 emission. We found, that microbes that produce CH4 hold the ability to produce and consume CH4 in multiple ways. This is important in terms of future climate scenarios, where wetlands are expected to shift. Therefore, we expect the community to be highly adaptive to future climate scenarios.
Patryk Łakomiec, Jutta Holst, Thomas Friborg, Patrick Crill, Niklas Rakos, Natascha Kljun, Per-Ola Olsson, Lars Eklundh, Andreas Persson, and Janne Rinne
Biogeosciences, 18, 5811–5830, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-5811-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-5811-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
Methane emission from the subarctic mire with heterogeneous permafrost status was measured for the years 2014–2016. Lower methane emission was measured from the palsa mire sector while the thawing wet sector emitted more. Both sectors have a similar annual pattern with a gentle rise during spring and a decrease during autumn. The highest emission was observed in the late summer. Winter emissions were positive during the measurement period and have a significant impact on the annual budgets.
Yang Liu, Simon Schallhart, Ditte Taipale, Toni Tykkä, Matti Räsänen, Lutz Merbold, Heidi Hellén, and Petri Pellikka
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 14761–14787, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-14761-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-14761-2021, 2021
Short summary
Short summary
We studied the mixing ratio of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) in a humid highland and dry lowland African ecosystem in Kenya. The mixing ratio of monoterpenoids was similar to that measured in the relevant ecosystems in western and southern Africa, while that of isoprene was lower. Modeling the emission factors (EFs) for BVOCs from the lowlands, the EFs for isoprene and β-pinene agreed well with what is assumed in the MEGAN, while those of α-pinene and limonene were higher.
Roger Seco, Thomas Holst, Mikkel Sillesen Matzen, Andreas Westergaard-Nielsen, Tao Li, Tihomir Simin, Joachim Jansen, Patrick Crill, Thomas Friborg, Janne Rinne, and Riikka Rinnan
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 20, 13399–13416, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-13399-2020, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-20-13399-2020, 2020
Short summary
Short summary
Northern ecosystems exchange climate-relevant trace gases with the atmosphere, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs). We measured VOC fluxes from a subarctic permafrost-free fen and its adjacent lake in northern Sweden. The graminoid-dominated fen emitted mainly isoprene during the peak of the growing season, with a pronounced response to increasing temperatures stronger than assumed by biogenic emission models. The lake was a sink of acetone and acetaldehyde during both periods measured.
Cited articles
Agarwal, V. B.: Temperature and relative humidity inside the mound of
Odontotermes obesus (Rambur) (Isoptera: Termitidae), Proc. Anim. Sci., 89, 91–99, https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03179148,
1980.
Amara, E., Adhikari, H., Heiskanen, J., Siljander, M., Munyao, M., Omondi,
P., and Pellikka, P.: Aboveground Biomass Distribution in a Multi-Use
Savannah Landscape in Southeastern Kenya: Impact of Land Use and Fences,
Land, 9, 381, https://doi.org/10.3390/land9100381, 2020.
Bagine, R., Brandl, R., and Kaib, M.: Species Delimitation in Macrotermes
(Isoptera: Macrotermitidae): Evidence from Epicuticular Hydrocarbons,
Morphology, and Ecology, Ann. Entom. Soc. Am., 87,
498–506, 1994.
Bignell, D. E. and Eggleton, P.: Termites in ecosystems, in Termites:
Evolution, Sociality, Symbioses and Ecology, edited by: Abe, T., Bignell, D. E.,
and Higashi, M., Springer, 363–387, 2000.
Boutton, T. W., Arshad, M. A., and Tieszen, L. L.: Stable isotope analysis of
termite food habits in East African grasslands, Oecologia, 59, 1–6,
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00388065, 1983.
Brümmer, C., Papen, H., Wassmann, R., and Brüggemann, N.: Fluxes of
CH4 and CO2 from soil and termite mounds in south Sudanian savanna
of Burkina Faso (West Africa), Global Biogeochem. Cy., 23, 1,
https://doi.org/10.1029/2008GB003237, 2009.
Buxton, R. D.: Termites and the turnover of dead wood in an arid tropical
environment, Oecologia, 51, 379–384, https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00540909, 1981.
Chen, C., Wu, J., Zhu, X., Jiang, X., Liu, W., Zeng, H., and Meng, F.-R.:
Hydrological characteristics and functions of termite mounds in areas with
clear dry and rainy seasons, Agriculture, Ecosyst. Environ., 277,
25–35, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2019.03.001, 2019.
Chiri, E., Greening, C., Lappan, R., Waite, D. W., Jirapanjawat, T., Dong,
X., Arndt, S. K., and Nauer, P. A.: Termite mounds contain soil-derived
methanotroph communities kinetically adapted to elevated methane
concentrations, ISME J., 14, 2715–2731, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41396-020-0722-3,
2020.
Collins, N. M.: The role of termites in the decomposition of wood
and leaf litter in the Southern Guinea savanna of Nigeria, Oecologia,
51, 389–399, https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00540911, 1981.
Darlington, J. P. E. C.: The underground passages and storage pits used in
foraging by a nest of the termite Macrotermes michaelseni in Kajiado, Kenya,
J. Zoology, 198, 237–247,
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1982.tb02073.x, 1982.
Darlington, J. P. E. C.: A method for sampling the populations of large
termite nests, Ann. Appl. Biol., 104, 427–436, 1984.
Darlington, J. P. E. C.: Structure of mature mounds of the termite
Macrotermes michaelseni in Kenya, Int. J. Trop. Insect
Sci., 6, 149–156, https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400006536,
1985.
Darlington, J. P. E. C.: Seasonality in mature nests of the termite
Macrotermes michaelseni in Kenya, Insectes Sociaux, 33, 168–189, 1986.
Darlington, J. P. E. C.: Populations in nests of the termite Macrotermes
subhyalinus in Kenya, Insectes Sociaux, 37, 158–168,
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02224028, 1990.
Darlington, J. P. E. C. and Dransfield, R. D.: Size relationships in nest
populations and mound parameters in the termite Macrotermes michaelseni in
Kenya, Insectes Sociaux, 34, 165–180, 1987.
Darlington, J. P. E. C., Zimmerman, P. R., Greenberg, J., Westberg, C., and
Bakwin, P.: Production of metabolic gases by nests of the termite
Macrotermes jeanneli in Kenya, J. Trop. Ecol., 13, 491–510,
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0266467400010671, 1997.
Eggleton, P. and Tayasu, I.: Feeding groups, lifetypes and the global
ecology of termites, Ecol. Res., 16, 941–960,
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-1703.2001.00444.x, 2001.
Higashi, M., Abe, T., and Burns, T. P.: Carbon-nitrogen balance and termite
ecology, P. Roy. Soc. B-Bio., 249, 303–308, https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.1992.0119, 1992.
Hyodo, F., Tayasu, I., Inoue, T., Azuma, J. I., Kudo, T., and Abe, T.:
Differential role of symbiotic fungi in lignin degradation and food
provision for fungus-growing termites (Macrotermitinae: Isoptera),
Funct. Ecol., 17, 186–193, https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2435.2003.00718.x,
2003.
Jamali, H., Livesley, S. J., Dawes, T. Z., Cook, G. D., Hutley, L. B., and
Arndt, S. K.: Diurnal and seasonal variations in CH4 flux from termite
mounds in tropical savannas of the Northern Territory, Australia,
Agr. Forest Meteorol., 151, 1471–1479,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agrformet.2010.06.009, 2011.
Jamali, H., Livesley, S. J., Hutley, L. B., Fest, B., and Arndt, S. K.: The relationships between termite mound
Jouquet, P., Traoré, S., Choosai, C., Hartmann, C., and Bignell, D.:
Influence of termites on ecosystem functioning. Ecosystem services provided
by termites, Europ. J. Soil Biol., 47, 215–222,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejsobi.2011.05.005, 2011.
Khalil, M. A. K., Rasmussen, R. A., French, J. R. J., and Holt, J. A.: The
Influence of Termites on Atmospheric Trace Gases: CH4, CO2,
CHC13, N2O, CO, H2, and Light Hydrocarbons, J.
Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 95, 3619–3634, 1990.
King, H., Ocko, S., and Mahadevan, L.: Termite mounds harness diurnal
temperature oscillations for ventilation, P. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA,
112, 11589–11593, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1423242112, 2015.
Kirschke, S., Bousquet, P., Ciais, P., Saunois, M., Canadell, J. G.
Dlugokencky, E. J. Bergamaschi, P. Bergmann, D., Blake, D. R., Bruhwiler,
L., Cameron-Smith, P., Castaldi, S., Chevallier, F., Feng, L., Fraser, A.,
Heimann, M., Hodson, E. L., Houweling, S., Josse, B., Fraser, P. J.,
Krummel, P. B., Lamarque, J. F. Langenfelds, R. L., Le Quere, C., Naik, V.,
O'Doherty, S., Palmer, P. I., Pison, I., Plummer, D., Poulter, B., Prinn, R.
G., Rigby, M., Ringeval, B., Santini, M., Schmidt, M., Shindell, D. T.,
Simpson, I. J., Spahni, R., Steele, L. P., Strode, S. A., Sudo, K., Szopa, S., van der Werf, G. R., Voulgarakis, A., van Weele, M., Weiss, R. F., Williams, J. E. and Zeng, G.: Three decades of global methane sources and sinks, Nat.
Geosci., 6, 813–823, https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo1955, 2013.
Korb, J. and Linsenmair, K. E.: The effects of temperature on the
architecture and distribution of Macrotermes bellicosus (Isoptera,
Macrotermitinae) mounds in different habitats of a West African Guinea
savanna, Insectes Soc., 45, 51–65, https://doi.org/10.1007/s000400050068, 1998.
Korb, J.: Thermoregulation and ventilation of termite mounds,
Naturwissenschaften, 90, 212–219, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-002-0401-4, 2003.
Korb, J.: Termite Mound Architecture, from Function to Construction, in
Biology of Termites: A Modern Synthesis, edited by: Bignell, D. E., Roisin, Y.,
and Lo, N., Springer, Dordrecht, 349–373, 2011.
Lepage, M. G.: L'impact des populations récoltantes deMacrotermes
michaelseni (Sjöstedt) (Isoptera: Macrotermitinae) dans un
écosystème semi-aride (Kajiado-Kenya), I – L'activité de
récolte et son déterminisme, Insectes Soc., 28, 297–308, 1981a.
Lepage, M. G.: L'impact des populations récoltantes de Macrotermes
michaelseni (Sjöstedt) (Isoptera: Macrotermitinae) dans un
écosystème semi-aride (Kajiado-Kenya), II - La nourriture
récoltée, comparaison avec les grands herbivores, Insectes Soc.,
28, 309–319, 1981b.
Lepage, M., Abbadie, L., and Mariotti, A.: Food Habits of Sympatric Termite
Species (Isoptera, Macrotermitinae) as Determined by Stable Carbon Isotope
Analysis in a Guinean Savanna (Lamto, Cote d'Ivoire), J. Trop. Ecol., 3,
303–311, 1993.
Lüscher, M.: Air-Conditioned Termite Nests, Sci. Am., 205, 138–145,
https://doi.org/10.1038/scientificamerican0761-138, 1961.
Nauer, P. A., Hutley, L. B., and Arndt, S. K.: Termite mounds mitigate half
of termite methane emissions, P. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 115,
13306–13311, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1809790115, 2018.
Noirot, C. and Darlington, J. P. E. C.: Termite nests: Architecture,
Regulation and Defence, in Termites: Evolution, Sociality, Symbioses,
Ecology, edited by: Abe, T., Bignell, D. E., and Higashi, M.,
Springer, 121–139, 2000.
Ocko, S. A., King, H., Andreen, D., Bardunias, P., Turner, J. S., Soar, R.
and Mahadevan, L.: Solar-powered ventilation of African termite mounds, J.
Exp. Biol., 220, 3260–3269, https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.160895, 2017.
Pellikka, P. K. E., Heikinheimo, V., Hietanen, J., Schäfer, E.,
Siljander, M., and Heiskanen, J.: Impact of land cover change on aboveground
carbon stocks in Afromontane landscape in Kenya, Appl. Geogr., 94,
178–189, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeog.2018.03.017, 2018.
Pomeroy, D. E.: Studies on a population of large termite mounds in Uganda,
Ecol. Entomol., 1, 49–61, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2311.1976.tb01204.x, 1976.
Pomeroy, D. E.: The Distribution and Abundance of Large Termite Mounds in
Uganda, J. Appl. Ecol., 14, 465–475, https://doi.org/10.2307/2402559, 1977.
Rouland-Lefèvre, C.: Symbiosis with fungi, in Termites: Evolution,
Sociality, Symbioses and Ecology, 289–306, 2000.
Räsänen, M., Merbold, L., Vakkari, V., Aurela, M., Laakso, L.,
Beukes, J. P., Zyl, P. G. V., Josipovic, M., Feig, G., Pellikka, P., Rinne,
J., and Katul, G. G.: Root-zone soil moisture variability across African
savannas: From pulsed rainfall to land-cover switches, Ecohydrology, 13,
e2213, https://doi.org/10.1002/eco.2213, 2020.
Räsänen, M., Vesala, R., Rönnholm, P., Arppe, L., Manninen, P.,
Jylhä, M., Rikkinen, J., Pellikka, P., and Rinne, J.: Dataset for
“Influence of termite mound structure and habitat on the mound CO2 and CH4
fluxes for fungus-growing termites”, figshare [data set],
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.21739484.v1, 2022.
Sanderson, M. S.: Biomass of termites and their emissions of methane and
carbon dioxide: A global database, Global Biogeochem. Cy., 10,
543–557, https://doi.org/10.1029/96GB01893, 1996.
Sieber, R. and Leuthold, R. H.: Behavioural elements and their meaning in
incipient laboratory colonies of the fungus-growing Termite Macrotermes
michaelseni (Isoptera: Macrotermitinae), Insectes Soc., 28, 371–382,
https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02224194, 1981.
Sugimoto, A., Inoue, T., Kirtibutr, N., and Abe, T.: Methane oxidation by
termite mounds estimated by the carbon isotopic composition of methane,
Global Biogeochem. Cy., 12, 595–605, https://doi.org/10.1029/98GB02266, 1998.
Thomas, R. J.: Ecological studies on the symbiosis of Termitomyces Heim with
Nigerian Macrotermitinae, University of London, PhD Thesis, https://qmro.qmul.ac.uk/xmlui/handle/123456789/1777 (last access: 28 September 2023), 1981.
Wachiye, S., Merbold, L., Vesala, T., Rinne, J., Räsänen, M., Leitner, S., and Pellikka, P.: Soil greenhouse gas emissions under different land-use types in savanna ecosystems of Kenya, Biogeosciences, 17, 2149–2167, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-17-2149-2020, 2020.
van Asperen, H., Alves-Oliveira, J. R., Warneke, T., Forsberg, B., de Araújo, A. C., and Notholt, J.: The role of termite CH4 emissions on the ecosystem scale: a case study in the Amazon rainforest, Biogeosciences, 18, 2609–2625, https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-18-2609-2021, 2021.
Vesala, R., Niskanen, T., Liimatainen, K., Boga, H., Pellikka, P., and
Rikkinen, J.: Diversity of fungus-growing termites (Macrotermes) and their
fungal symbionts (Termitomyces) in the semiarid Tsavo Ecosystem, Kenya,
Biotropica, 49, 402–412, https://doi.org/10.1111/btp.12422, 2017.
Vesala, R., Arppe, L., and Rikkinen, J.: Caste-specific nutritional
differences define carbon and nitrogen fluxes within symbiotic food webs in
African termite mounds, Sci. Rep., 9, 16611–16698,
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-53153-x, 2019a.
Vesala, R., Harjuntausta, A., Hakkarainen, A., Rönnholm, P., Pellikka,
P., and Rikkinen, J.: Termite mound architecture regulates nest temperature
and correlates with species identities of symbiotic fungi, Peer J., 6, e6237,
https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6237, 2019b.
Vesala, R., Arppe, L., and Rikkinen, J.: Termitomyces fungus combs –
formation, structure and functional aspects, in Microbial Symbionts:
Functions and Molecular Interactions on Host, edited by: Dhanasekaran, D.,
Academic Press., ISBN 9780323993340, 2022a.
Vesala, R., Rikkinen, A., Pellikka, P., Rikkinen, J., and Arppe, L.: You eat
what you find – local patterns in vegetation structure control diets of
African fungus-growing termites, Ecol. Evol., 12, e8566, https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.8566, 2022b.
Virtanen, P., Gommers, R., Oliphant, T. E., Haberland, M., Reddy, T.,
Cournapeau, D., Burovski, E., Peterson, P., Weckesser, W., Bright, J., van
der Walt, S. J., Brett, M., Wilson, J., Millman, K. J., Mayorov, N., Nelson,
A. R. J., Jones, E., Kern, R., Larson, E., Carey, C. J., Polat, İ.,
Feng, Y., Moore, E. W., VanderPlas, J., Laxalde, D., Perktold, J., Cimrman,
R., Henriksen, I., Quintero, E. A., Harris, C. R., Archibald, A. M.,
Ribeiro, A. H., Pedregosa, F., van Mulbregt, P., and SciPy 1.0 Contributors:
SciPy 1.0: fundamental algorithms for scientific computing in Python, Nat.
Methods, 17, 261–272,
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41592-019-0686-2, 2020.
Weir, J. S.: Air Flow, Evaporation and Mineral Accumulation in Mounds of
Macrotermes subhyalinus (Rambur), J. Anim. Ecol., 42, 509–520,
https://doi.org/10.2307/3120, 1973.
Wildermuth, B., Oldeland, J., Arning, C., Gunter, F., Strohbach, B. and
Juergens, N.: Spatial patterns and life histories of Macrotermes michaelseni
termite mounds reflect intraspecific competition: Insights of a temporal
comparison spanning 12 years, Ecography, 9, e06306, https://doi.org/10.1111/ecog.06306, 2022.
Wood, T. G. and Thomas, R. J.: The mutualistic association between
Macrotermitinae and Termitomyces, in: Insect-fungus interactions, edited by:
Wilding, N., Collins, N. M., Hammond, P. M., and Webber, J. F., Academic Press., 69–92,
1989.
Zhou, Y., Staver, A. C., and Davies, A. B.: Species-level termite methane
production rates, Ecology, 104, e3905, https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.3905,
2023.
Zimmerman, P. R., Greenberg, J. P., Wandiga, S. O., and Crutzen, P. J.:
Termites: A Potentially Large Source of Atmospheric Methane, Carbon Dioxide,
and Molecular Hydrogen, Science, 218, 563–565, 1982.
Short summary
Fungus-growing termites recycle large parts of dead plant material in African savannas and are significant sources of greenhouse gases. We measured CO2 and CH4 fluxes from their mounds and surrounding soils in open and closed habitats. The fluxes scale with mound volume. The results show that emissions from mounds of fungus-growing termites are more stable than those from other termites. The soil fluxes around the mound are affected by the termite colonies at up to 2 m distance from the mound.
Fungus-growing termites recycle large parts of dead plant material in African savannas and are...
Altmetrics
Final-revised paper
Preprint