CAN TERMITES MITIGATE CLIMATE CHANGE?

A recent article reports scientists have found that, in time of drought, termites have helped tropical rain forests to survive.* With diminished rainfall, termite populations were observed to increase dramatically, in turn increasing leaf litter decomposition. As a result, soil had more moisture and nutrient mixing, enabling better seedling survival.

Perhaps these findings will suggest an approach for areas of the United States West and Southwest said to be drought prone due to perceived climate changes. Encouraging large populations of termites in forests of those areas may preserve moisture so as to mitigate effects of drought climate changes.

Of course, termite buildup in such areas may cause some collateral damage to houses that are constructed primarily of wood located in such forests.

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*Yao-Hua Law,"Termites Help Rainforests Withstand
A Drought", Science News, February 16, 2019,
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© Daniel J. Kucera 2019