The beneficial role of termites in ecosystems

Although not many of us have seen termites, let alone know what they look like, termites are very important to life on earth. They are found most abundantly in forests, specifically tropical forests, and there are thousands of species that play a vital role in the recycling of nitrogen back into the atmosphere.

As many of us know, termites eat wood, and they help to break down decaying tree trunks in the forest. Not only tree trunks, but branches, leaves, and plant matter too tough for other life forms to digest. Termites are the only ones that can break down wood on a mass scale. Without them, the fallen trunks of trees would soon pile up and kill the forest.

Termites also burrow a lot in the soil, making numerous tunnels which permit air and water to penetrate the soil. This helps with aerating the soil and fixing nitrogen in the soil, which helps soil bacteria convert the nitrogen in the air into a form more easily absorbed by plant roots. So termites also help a lot with the growth of plants and trees in the forest.

Certain termite species in tropical countries grow fungus within their nests which may go on to develop into large mushrooms that are edible and prized by the native peoples living there. These mushrooms are totally cultured and cultivated by termites! In Africa, these termite farmed mushrooms are a prized delicacy and include some of the largest mushrooms in the world.

Termites are also a great food source for many animals, especially during swarming season. Most birds, lizards, frogs, and anteaters love eating these flying termites. These flying termites are called alates in scientific terms, which mean, “the winged ones.” They are reproductive males and females whose purpose is to fly out from the nest, mate, and start new colonies.

Looking at the great diversity and abundance of termites, it should not be surprising that termites play an important role in the efficient functioning of ecosystems. For example, it is believed that a sizable proportion of methane in the earth’s atmosphere is generated from the activities of termite colonies. As to whether they contribute to global greenhouse gasses is something for climate change activists to debate.

It’s clear that not only are termites a major pest of wood, but looking at the big picture, they are needed for the overall health of this planet of ours. Every living thing on this planet has some kind of place in the scheme of things, and I guess termites are no exception.