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KMID : 1024520170260060789
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Journal of the Environmental Sciences
2017 Volume.26 No. 6 p.789 ~ p.795
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Changes in Chemical Property of Soil Affected by Termites (Reticulitermes speratus kyushuensis Morimoto) in Korea
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Seong Se-Ha
Kim Keun-Ki
Hong Chang-Oh
Park Hyean-Cheal
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Abstract
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Termites (Isoptera) are classified into approximately 3,106 species. In Korea, only one species has been identified, which is Reticulitermes speratus kyushuensis Morimoto. The termite, a social insect, is known to play an important role in nutrient cycling of the ecosystem, although some species of termites are well-known pests attacking wooden structures or any plant materials. However, there is a lack of research about termites in Korea, including aspects such the taxonomy, physiology, and ecology of termites. This study was carried out to provide valuable basic data on the ecological role of termites in an ecosystem in Korea for the future studies. For the experiments, soil and termite samples were randomly collected from Mt. Hwajang located in Jikdong-ri, Eonyang-eup, Ulju-gun, Korea between October 5 and 30, 2015. Analysis results showed that there were no significant differences in soil chemical properties between the soil samples just after air-drying and one year elapsed without any treatment. The treated soil with termites showed significantly higher than the soil without termite treatment. Chemical properties of total nitrogen, organic matter, available phosphate, pH, Calcium(Ca), Potassium(K) and Magnesium(Mg) in soil treated with termites were 1.11 ± 0.3 g kg-1, 43.3 ± 12.4 g kg-1, 27.4 ± 2.9 mg kg-1, 4.56 ± 0.2, 0.82 ± 0.2 cmolc kg-1, 3.18 ± 1.4 cmolc kg-1, 1.73 ± 1.1 cmolc kg-1, respectively. The values of soil property of without termite treatment were 0.56 ± 0.1 g kg-1, 30.5 ± 3.1 g kg-1, 24.0 ± 4.7 mg kg-1, 4.09 ± 0.1, 0.71 ± 0.2 cmolc kg-1, 2.88 ± 1.5 cmolc kg-1, 1.30 ± 0.7 cmolc kg-1, respectively. These results suggest that inhabitation of termites could improve soil chemical properties in an ecosystem.
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KEYWORD
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Termites, Reticulitermes speratus kyushuensis Morimoto, Soil chemical properties, Ecosystem
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