Occurrence and Activity of Subterranean Termites in Temperate Forest Soils.

Termites are an important component of many tropical, sub-tropical, and temperate soil invertebrate communities, and they have an impact on soil hydrological, chemical and biological processes. Termites also emit methane and could be an important factor in the production of this important atmospheric greenhouse gas. Many studies have been conducted on mound-building termites in tropical ecosystems, but much less is known on the occurrence and activity of subterranean termites in temperate soils. We will give an overview of studies currently underway on the occurrence and activity of subterranean termites in different U.S. forest ecosystems, and how they impact wood decomposition and carbon cycling in these soils.