@article{fdi:010064839,
  title = {{T}he influence of termites on soil sheeting properties varies depending on the materials on which they feed},
  author = {{J}ouquet, {P}ascal and {G}uilleux, {N}. and {C}hintakunta, {S}. and {M}endez-{M}illan, {M}ercedes and {S}ubramanian, {S}. and {S}hanbhag, {R}. {R}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{F}ungus-growing termites are involved in many ecological processes and play a central role in influencing soil dynamics in the tropics. {T}he physical and chemical properties of their nest structures have been largely described; however less information is available concerning the relatively temporary structures made above-ground to access food items and protect the foraging space (the soil 'sheetings'). {T}his study investigated whether the soil physical and chemical properties of these constructions are constant or if they vary depending on the type of food they cover. {S}oil samples and soil sheetings were collected in a forest in {I}ndia, from leaves on the ground ({LEAF}), fallen branches ({WOOD}), and vertical soil sheetings covering the bark of trees ({TREE}). {I}n this environment, termite diversity was dominated by {O}dontotermes species, and especially {O}dontotermes feae and {O}dontotermes obesus. {H}owever, there was no clear niche differentiation and, for example, {O}. feae termites were found on all the materials. {C}ompared with the putative parent soil (control), {TREE} sheetings showed the greatest (and most significant) differences (higher clay content and smaller clay particle sizes, lower {C} and {N} content and smaller delta {C}-13 and delta {N}-15), while {LEAF} sheetings were the least modified, though still significantly different than the control soil. {W}e suggest that the termite diversity is a less important driver of potential soil modification than sheeting diversity. {F}urther, there is evidence that construction properties are adapted to their prospective life-span, with relatively long-lasting structures being most different from the parent soil.},
  keywords = {{B}ioturbation ; {C}lay ; {E}cological niches ; {F}ungus-growing termites ; {I}ndia ; {S}oil sheeting ; {S}oil translocation ; {INDE}},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{E}uropean {J}ournal of {S}oil {B}iology},
  volume = {69},
  numero = {},
  pages = {74--78},
  ISSN = {1164-5563},
  year = {2015},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.ejsobi.2015.05.007},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010064839},
}