Publication Date
1993
Description
Decomposition of dead tussocks of 2 grass species (Eragrostis eriopoda and Thyridolepis mitchellima) was studied with and without termites present, both in the absence of large ve.rtebrate herbivores, After 3 years, little tussock residues of either species remained icrespective of treatment, but E. er/opoda decayed much more rapidly than T. mitchellia11a during the first 8 months post mortem (c. 275 cf, 13 kg/ha/month respectively). Thereafter, rate of decay differed little between species. Overall, removal of termites had no significant effect, The data presented in this paper therefore suggest that abiotic processes are dominant influences mediating litter decomposition of above-ground litter in these semi-arid ecosystems.·
Citation
Noble, J C., "Termites have a Minor Role in the Decomposition of Senescent Grass Tussocks in a Semi-Arid Woodland in Eastern Australia" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 15.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session7/15
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Termites have a Minor Role in the Decomposition of Senescent Grass Tussocks in a Semi-Arid Woodland in Eastern Australia
Decomposition of dead tussocks of 2 grass species (Eragrostis eriopoda and Thyridolepis mitchellima) was studied with and without termites present, both in the absence of large ve.rtebrate herbivores, After 3 years, little tussock residues of either species remained icrespective of treatment, but E. er/opoda decayed much more rapidly than T. mitchellia11a during the first 8 months post mortem (c. 275 cf, 13 kg/ha/month respectively). Thereafter, rate of decay differed little between species. Overall, removal of termites had no significant effect, The data presented in this paper therefore suggest that abiotic processes are dominant influences mediating litter decomposition of above-ground litter in these semi-arid ecosystems.·
