Descomposición de madera muerta por termitas xilófagas en bosques de galería de la Orinoquía colombiana

Abstract

Termites are key contributors to wood decomposition and carbon cycling in tropical ecosystems. The decomposition process is influenced by wood properties, global and local climate, and decomposer organisms principally termites and microbes. In this study, we explore the impact of wood density, seasonality, and termite diversity on decomposition rates in the gallery forests of the Orinoquía. This research investigates how these factors influence termite activity and their role in biomass loss. The results indicate that wood density partially explains the mass loss of bait due to termites, with denser wood being more frequently attacked during the wet season. However, no significant differences in decomposition rates between softwood and dense wood were observed. Although wood density is an important trait in decay resistance, the relationship between density and decomposition rate is not always linear, suggesting that other factors, such as wood chemistry and anatomy, also play a significant role. The most abundant termite species, Heterotermes tenuis, was responsible for the highest mass loss, emphasizing its importance in decomposition processes. These findings underscore the complexity of termite-driven decomposition and highlight the need to consider multiple factors, such as wood properties and environmental conditions, when evaluating their role in carbon dynamics. Our study contributes to understanding how termite activity impacts ecosystem functions and stresses the importance of conserving dead wood in maintaining termite diversity and gallery forest health.