Efecto de las características morfológicas de los árboles sobre la presencia de termiteros del género Nasutitermes (Blattodea: Termitidae) en Sara Ana, Alto Beni, Bolivia
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Ecología en Bolivia
Abstract
En bosques tropicales, las termitas desempeñan un papel crucial en el ciclo de descomposición de la madera y funcionan como indicadores de la calidad de los ecosistemas. Los árboles proporcionan a las termitas alimento, refugio, protección contra depredadores y las variables ambientales como la lluvia y altas temperaturas, condicionando la selección de su hábitat. En este estudio, se evaluó el efecto de las características morfológicas de los árboles (diámetro a la altura del pecho, altura, rugosidad de la corteza y cobertura del dosel) y orientación, sobre la presencia de termiteros en diferentes ambientes del Centro de Investigación y Capacitación de Sara Ana. Los termiteros observados fueron construidos por termitas del género Nasutitermes, y su presencia estuvo principalmente asociada a árboles más altos (p<0.05) y de mayor diámetro (p=4.05e-10), con cobertura de dosel superior al 60% y cortezas que presentaban un grado de rugosidad mayor (p<0.05). Respecto a la orientación, se observó una leve tendencia en la construcción de los termiteros hacia el noreste (p=0.036), en comparación con las demás orientaciones. Estos resultados sugieren que la presencia de termiteros no es aleatoria, sino que está determinada por las características morfológicas de los árboles.
In tropical forests, termites play a crucial role in the wood decomposition cycle and serve as indicators of ecosystem quality. Trees provide termites with food, shelter, protection from predators, and environmental variables such as rain and high temperatures, conditioning their habitat selection. In this study, we evaluated the effect of tree morphological characteristics (diameter at breast height, height, bark roughness, and canopy cover) and orientation on the presence of termite mounds in different environments at the Sara Ana Research and Training Center. The termite mounds observed were built by termites of the genus Nasutitermes, and their presence was mainly associated with taller trees (p<0.05) and trees with a larger diameter (p=4.05e-10), with canopy cover above 60% and bark with a high roughness index (p<0.05). With regard to orientation, a slight tendency was observed in the construction of termite mounds towards the northeast (p=0.036), compared to other orientations. These results suggest that the presence of termite mounds is not random, but is determined by the morphological characteristics of the trees.
In tropical forests, termites play a crucial role in the wood decomposition cycle and serve as indicators of ecosystem quality. Trees provide termites with food, shelter, protection from predators, and environmental variables such as rain and high temperatures, conditioning their habitat selection. In this study, we evaluated the effect of tree morphological characteristics (diameter at breast height, height, bark roughness, and canopy cover) and orientation on the presence of termite mounds in different environments at the Sara Ana Research and Training Center. The termite mounds observed were built by termites of the genus Nasutitermes, and their presence was mainly associated with taller trees (p<0.05) and trees with a larger diameter (p=4.05e-10), with canopy cover above 60% and bark with a high roughness index (p<0.05). With regard to orientation, a slight tendency was observed in the construction of termite mounds towards the northeast (p=0.036), compared to other orientations. These results suggest that the presence of termite mounds is not random, but is determined by the morphological characteristics of the trees.
Description
Vol. 60, No. 2