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http://dx.doi.org/10.5352/JLS.2008.18.2.143

Nutrient Content of Litter Harvested by Drepanotermes tamminensis (Hill) in Its Mounds Within a Native Reserve In the Western Australian Wheatbelt

Park, Hyean-Cheal (School of Applied Life Science, Pusan National University)
Shin, Hae-Soo (Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Western Australia)
Son, Hong-Joo (School of Applied Life Science, Pusan National University)
Park, Min-Kyung (School of Applied Life Science, Pusan National University)
Shin, Teck-Soon (School of Resources and Life Science, Pusan National University)
Choi, In-Soo (School of Resources and Life Science, Pusan National University)
Kim, Keun-Ki (Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Western Australia)

Publication Information

Journal of Life Science / v.18, no.2, 2008 , pp. 143-147 More about this Journal

Abstract

This study estimated the mound litter biomass and the nutrient content of mound litter in the two study plots in Durokoppin Nature Reserve, Western Australia between 2004 and 2005. There were no significant differences in biomass of litter in individual mounds between the two study plots. Seven components of litter were found in the mounds. The nutrient concentrations were higher in the woodland than in the shrubland plot, although the differences were not statistically tested, and the total amount of each nutrient measured was generally greater in the woodland than in the shrubland plot. The aforementioned results show that D. tamminensis harvests various plant material according to biomass availability. The role of this termite takes on particular importance in view of the fact that Western Australian soils are notoriously impoverished in nutrients.

Keywords

Nutrient content; litter; termites; Drepanotermes tamminensis;

Citations & Related Records

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