1
|
Flores-Moreno H, Yatsko AR, Cheesman AW, Allison SD, Cernusak LA, Cheney R, Clement RA, Cooper W, Eggleton P, Jensen R, Rosenfield M, Zanne AE. Shifts in internal stem damage along a tropical precipitation gradient and implications for forest biomass estimation. THE NEW PHYTOLOGIST 2024; 241:1047-1061. [PMID: 38087814 DOI: 10.1111/nph.19417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Woody biomass is a large carbon store in terrestrial ecosystems. In calculating biomass, tree stems are assumed to be solid structures. However, decomposer agents such as microbes and insects target stem heartwood, causing internal wood decay which is poorly quantified. We investigated internal stem damage across five sites in tropical Australia along a precipitation gradient. We estimated the amount of internal aboveground biomass damaged in living trees and measured four potential stem damage predictors: wood density, stem diameter, annual precipitation, and termite pressure (measured as termite damage in downed deadwood). Stem damage increased with increasing diameter, wood density, and termite pressure and decreased with increasing precipitation. High wood density stems sustained less damage in wet sites and more damage in dry sites, likely a result of shifting decomposer communities and their differing responses to changes in tree species and wood traits across sites. Incorporating stem damage reduced aboveground biomass estimates by > 30% in Australian savannas, compared to only 3% in rainforests. Accurate estimates of carbon storage across woody plant communities are critical for understanding the global carbon budget. Future biomass estimates should consider stem damage in concert with the effects of changes in decomposer communities and abiotic conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Habacuc Flores-Moreno
- Department of Biological Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20007, USA
- CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, GPO Box 2583, Brisbane, Qld, 4001, Australia
| | - Abbey R Yatsko
- Biology Department, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33146, USA
| | - Alexander W Cheesman
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Cairns, Qld, 4878, Australia
- Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QE, UK
| | - Steven D Allison
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Earth System Science, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Lucas A Cernusak
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Cairns, Qld, 4878, Australia
| | - Rose Cheney
- Department of Biological Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20007, USA
| | - Rebecca A Clement
- Department of Biological Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20007, USA
| | - Wendy Cooper
- Australian Tropical Herbarium, James Cook University, Cairns, Qld, 4878, Australia
| | - Paul Eggleton
- Life Sciences Department, The Natural History Museum, London, SW7 5BD, UK
| | - Rigel Jensen
- Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Malanda, Qld, 4885, Australia
| | - Marc Rosenfield
- Department of Biological Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20007, USA
| | - Amy E Zanne
- Department of Biological Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20007, USA
- Biology Department, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33146, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Evans TA. Predicting ecological impacts of invasive termites. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2021; 46:88-94. [PMID: 33771736 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2021.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
There are 28 invasive termite species, most belong to two families, the Kalotermitidae (esp. Cryptotermes spp.) and Rhinotermitidae (esp. Coptotermes spp.). Six invasive termite species are known to have spread into natural habitats, but little direct research has been conducted into their ecological impacts. Predictions based on indirect research (natural durability of commercial wood species) suggest fast-growing, pioneer tree species with low density wood, perhaps notably legumes, are most vulnerable to invasive termites, but even slow growing climax tree species may succumb. Cryptotermes will likely have less ecological impact, due to small colonies attacking dead branch stubs in the canopy. Coptotermes will likely have greater impact, due to large colony sizes and nesting in living trees, which they hollow out and can kill. There are no studies of invasive termites on native termites, other wood-eating insects, or predators, such as ants, showing considerable scope for future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Theodore A Evans
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth WA 6009, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|