How Much CO2 Do Termites Produce?

Wouter

Termites produce carbon dioxide and methane, which are important greenhouse gases. They decompose plant material, including wood, in a process called methanogenesis. Approximately half of the methane is broken down by bacteria in the termite mounds. The resulting carbon is then returned to the atmosphere.

Research has indicated that termites produce up to 20 million tonnes of methane annually. They are considered a significant source of methane, accounting for 1-3% of global methane emissions. They have also been suspected to be responsible for climate change.

Termites can be found in many different soils. Some of them live in agricultural soils, while others can be found in forest soils. They are highly sensitive to temperature. They prefer temperatures over 10 degrees C above the ambient air temperature.

Earlier researchers have wondered whether termites may be a significant source of methane. They have assumed that some species are more problematic than others. They have compared the rate of methane emission between termite mounds to that of other decomposition processes. However, the findings were hampered by uncertainties over the distribution of termite biomass.

In a study conducted in the tropical north of Australia, a team of researchers used new techniques to measure the methane cycle in termite mounds. They measured the rate of methane emitted from six species of termites. The resulting data suggested that the rate of methane emitted in the mounds was lower than previously reported.

The study also indicated that termite methane production is very variable. It varies between wet and dry seasons. In one season, the mounds emitted only a fraction of the methane they should have. This is likely a result of a number of factors, including rainfall.

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