Why Are Termites Good For the Environment?
WouterTermites are an important part of the food chain and help maintain the health of tropical rain forests. They recycle plant material into fertile soil and are good for birds, insects and other wildlife. They eat wood, dung and cellulose, and leave behind nutrients that refurbish soil.
Termites build mounds, usually made of mud or soil. They aerate the soil, recycle materials, and provide excellent nutrition for birds, bats and other wildlife. They are also beneficial to ecosystems because they recycle dead wood into soil and replant new trees.
Termites are considered to be pests in many countries, but they are beneficial for the environment. They recycle rotten trees and plants into fertile soil, which helps forests regrow faster. They aerate the soil, allowing oxygen to filter down to the roots of the plant. They eat fungus growing on decaying plant material, and they metabolize cellulose, a component of wood.
One of the simplest ways that termites recycle is through the use of their saliva as a cementing agent. They also use pheromones to communicate. They use this secret to avoid erosion and to protect the walls of their mounds.
Termites also aerate the soil to improve its quality. This is accomplished by breaking down smaller particles, filling spaces between the larger ones, and creating a cohesive force called soil suction. The cohesive force allows the moisture in the soil to settle down, forming a strong structure.
When a termite colony has been established, the queen can produce millions of offspring in her lifetime. They can live up to 25 years.
