Some effects of termitaria on veld in the eastern Cape

Abstract

A survey was conducted to determine some effects of termite mounds on the veld. Termitaria were found to occupy approximately 0,4% of the area of the paddock under investigation. Growth of grasses immediately surrounding intact termitaria increased as shown by the higher number of tillers and a high percentage of reproductive tillers. Although the plant species composition surrounding intact termitaria did not appear to differ very much from the adjacent veld, weathered termitaria revealed a change in species more typical of disturbed conditions. Nitrogen content was highest in soil from the centre of intact termitaria, but there were no significant differences in the surface soil from the edge of termitaria, from weathered mounds, or from undisturbed veld. Runoff from termitaria caused increased moisture penetration surrounding the mounds. The significance of an infestation of termite mounds on the veld is discussed.

‘n Opname is uitgevoer om enkele effekte van termitaria op veld te bepaal. Termitaria het ongeveer 0,4% van die oppervlakte van die eksperimentele kamp bedek. Grasse wat die lewende termitaria omring, het deur middel van hoër lootgetalle en ‘n hoë persentasie reproduktiewe lote meer groei vertoon. Alhoewel plantsamestelling om die termitaria nie baie van die aangrensende veld verskil het nie, het verweerde termitaria ‘n spesieverandering vertoon wat meer tipies van agteruitgaande veld is. Stikstofinhoud was die hoogste in grond van die middel van termitaria, maar daar was geen betekenisvolle verskille in die grondoppervlak om die termitaria, in verweerde termitaria, of in die aangrensende veld nie. Afloop van termitaria het ‘n toename in waterindringing om die hope veroorsaak. Die invloed van ‘n indringing van termiethope op die veld word bespreek.

Additional index words:

• Increased phytomass
• moisture penetration
• soil nitrogen