Termites - the Earth's most abundant soil arthropods - play key roles in nitrogen and carbon cycling in many tropical and subtropical ecosystems through activities of their microbial symbionts. They fix atmospheric nitrogen, route it into ecosystems, and influence emissions of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) - two key greenhouse gases driving climate change. The TERMITOSPHERE project investigates termite-driven nitrogen fixation, CH4 production and oxidation, and nitrification/denitrification in East African drylands, where termites are major regulators of carbon and nutrient cycling. However, the mechanisms controlling these processes remain poorly understood. Using stable isotope analysis, we quantify the gas fluxes between the "termitosphere" and atmosphere and analyze termite diets, hypothesized to regulate both nitrogen fixation and gasous emissions. This research will advance understanding of termite-driven ecosystem processes and their impacts on global climate.

2025

2029