@article{fdi:010037815,
  title = {{N}utrient storage in soils and nests of mound-building {T}rinervitermes termites in {C}entral {B}urkina {F}aso: consequences for soil fertility},
  author = {{B}rossard, {M}ichel and {L}opez {H}ernandez, {D}. and {L}epage, {M}ichel and {L}eprun, {J}ean-{C}laude},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{N}est structures of two termite species ({T}rinervitermes spp.) with epigeal (above-ground) mounds were analyzed to compare their nutrient status with that of adjacent soils. {T}o take into account soil variability, the observations and samplings were made in three toposequences of different and representative {W}est {A}frican savanna soils. {T}he data showed the high degree of adaptation of these termite species to a large range of soil types and environments. {M}ounds of {T}rinervitermes geminatus and {T}rinervitermes trinervius, both grass-feeders, contained more clay, organic matter ({OM}), and exchangeable cations than the surrounding surface layer soil. {T}he storage of {OM} and exchangeable cations was determined for {T}. geminatus nests and compared to the surrounding soil. {D}espite substantial nutrient storage in mounds, its total weight appeared low when compared to the nutrient storage in the surrounding 0-15 cm of soil surface layer. {T}his illustrates how contradictory points of view on the use of termite mounds in agriculture need to be clarified using a classical approach that takes into account data by species; and this also evaluates the contribution of different termite mounds to nutrient fluxes and storage and the exact stocking rate of living mounds.},
  keywords = {termite nests ; savannas ; clay ; organic matter ; exchangeable cations ; soil fertility},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{B}iology and {F}ertility of {S}oils},
  volume = {43},
  numero = {4},
  pages = {437--447},
  ISSN = {0178-2762},
  year = {2007},
  DOI = {10.1007/s00374-006-0121-6},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010037815},
}