Muon R. auteur aut IRD Ket P. auteur aut IRD Sebag D. auteur aut IRD Aroui Boukbida Hanane auteur aut IRD Podwojewski Pascal auteur aut IRD Hervé V. auteur aut IRD Ann V. auteur aut IRD Jouquet Pascal auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf born digital access In Cambodia, termite mounds are commonly used by farmers as amendments to increase the fertility of their paddy fields. However, despite their utilization, their chemical and physical properties have not been described yet. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyze the chemical and physical properties of two termite constructions commonly found in paddy fields: (a) termitaria built and occupied by the fungus-growing termite Macrotermes gilvus and (b) lenticular mounds that are initially built by termites but host a large diversity of other invertebrates and plants. This study shows that these biogenic structures have very specific properties. Termitaria were characterized by higher clay, phosphorus and electrical conductivity than the surrounding soil. However, their effect on carbon dynamics was limited to a modification of the interactions between soil organic matter and minerals and to the presence of carbonates. At the same time, lenticular mounds appeared as patches of nutrients in paddy fields because they were always enriched in carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in comparison with the surrounding cultivated soil. Lenticular mounds were also enriched in clay, although this effect was only measured when the sand content in the surrounding environment was >60%. Together with these changes, lenticular mounds were characterized by a lower bulk density, higher saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat), and higher water holding capacity. In conclusion, this study shows that termite constructions can be considered fertility and biogeochemical hotspots in paddy fields, thus explaining their use by farmers for improving the fertility of their lands. specialized CAMBODGE 074FAUSOL03 068PROSOL 082ECOSYS 33 e00640 [9 ] 2023 2352-0094 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010087881 10.1016/j.geodrs.2023.e00640 2352-0094 [F B010087881] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010087881 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/intranet/publi/2023-06/010087881.pdf Accès réservé (Intranet de l'IRD) IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2023-05-16 2025-02-24 fdi:010087881 fre