The Impacts of Mound-Building Termites on Micronutrients and Soil Hydraulic Properties in Parts of Borana Lowlands Southern Ethiopia

Wondimu Tolcha Adugna; Abiyot Lellisa; Amsalu Tilahun

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160102.14

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The Impacts of Mound-Building Termites on Micronutrients and Soil Hydraulic Properties in Parts of Borana Lowlands Southern Ethiopia

Wondimu Tolcha Adugna, Abiyot Lellisa, Amsalu Tilahun

Published in International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management (Volume 1, Issue 2)

Received: 6 June 2016 Accepted: 14 June 2016 Published: 30 June 2016

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Abstract

This study was focuses on the impact of mound- building termite on micronutrients and soil hydraulic properties in three districts of Borana zone. The condition of soil is in unfavorable condition when its physical, chemical and biological features have negative impact on environment. Knowledge on soil hydraulic properties and micro nutrient content for soils affected by termite mound and adjacent unaffected soil will give a clue on the impact of mound building termite for plant establishment. Infiltration rate for adjacent soil profile106.47 mm/hr (Moderately rapid) and for termite mound profile 142.13 mm/hr (rapid) infiltration rate has been observed while the packing density up to 1.80 t m^-3(high) for external part of termite mound which isgreater than 1.75 tm^-3 and 1.36 t m^-3 (low) for adjacent soil profile less than1.40 t m^-3. There is also higher concentration of manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) content on external part of termite mound for fine textured soil and no difference in copper (Cu) and Iron (Fe) content between termite mound material and adjacent soil. Generally, the termite mound has positive impact on soil hydraulic properties of soil and micronutrients in order to support plant establishments.

Published in	International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management (Volume 1, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160102.14
Page(s)	32-41
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2016. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Termite Mound, Hydraulic Properties, Micronutrients

References

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[2]	Anderson, J. M., 1994. Functional attributes of biodiversity in land use systems. In: Soil Resilience and Sustainable Land Use, Greenland, D. J., and Szablocs, I. (Editors), CAB International, Wallingford, pp. 267-290.
[3]	Barnett E. A, Cowie, R. H., Sands, W. A. and Wood., J. G., 1987. Identification of termites collected in Ethiopia. Report No. C0696. Tropical research institute, London.
[4]	Coppock, D. L., 1994. The Borana Plateau of Southern Ethiopia: Synthesis of pastoral research, development and change, 1980-91. ILCA (International Livestock Center for Africa), Addis Ababa Ethiopia. 418p.
[5]	FAO (Food and Agricultural Organizations of the United Nations), 2006. Guidelines for soil description, 4th edition
[6]	Kamara, A. B., 2001. Property rights, risk and livestock development in Southern Ethiopia. PhD dissertation, Georg-August-University Gottingen, Waldweg 26 D-37073
[7]	Lavelle, P. M., Dangerfield, C. Fragoso V. Eschnebrenner, D. L. Hernadez, B. Pashanari, and Brussard, L., 1994. The relationship between soil macrofauna and tropical soil fertility. In Woomer P. L. and Swift M. J. (eds). The biological management of tropical soil fertility. pp.136-169. A wiley- Sayce publication
[8]	Leonard J., Rajot J. L. (2001): Inﬂuence of termiteson runoﬀ and inﬁltration: quantiﬁcation and analysis. Geoderma, 104:17-40.
[9]	Lindsay, W. L. 1979. Chemical Equilibria in Soils. Wiley-Interscience. John Wiley & Sons, New York. 449 p. Lee, K. E. and Wood, T. G. (1971) Termites and Soils, Cornell University: Academic Press Léonard, J. and Rajot, J. L. (2001) Influence of termites on runoff and infiltration: Quantification and analysis, Geoderma, Vol. 104, pp. 17–40.
[10]	Mando, A., Stroosnijder, L. and Brussaard, L. (1996) Effects of termites on infiltration into crusted soil, Geoderma, Vol. 74, pp. 107‒113.
[11]	Miller, R. E., Hazard, J., and Howes, S., 2001. precision, accuracy, and efficiency of four tools for measuring soil bulk density or strength. Res. paper PNW-RP532:U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR.
[12]	MoNRDEP (Ministry of Natural Resource Development and Environmental Protection). 1990. Soil analysis in the laboratory manual. Ministry of Natural resource development and environmental protection, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
[13]	Ruan, H. and Illangasekare, T. H. (1998) A model to couple overland flow and infiltration into macroporous, Journal of Hydrology, Vol. 210, pp. 116–127.
[14]	Panda S. C., 2007. Soilwater conservation and dry farming. agrobios, India, pp. 111-115.
[15]	USDA NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service), 2008. Soil Quality Indicators
[16]	Van RANST, 1995. Non parametric techniques for predicting soil bulk density of tropical rainforest top soils in Rwand. Soil science society of America Journal
[17]	Watson, J. P. (1962) The soil below a termite mound, European Journal of Soil Science, Vol. 13(1), pp. 46–59.
[18]	Watson, J. P., 1997. Th0e use of mounds of the termite Macrotermesfalciger (Gerstacker) as a soil amendment. Journal of Soil Science 28, pp 664-672.

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Wondimu Tolcha Adugna, Abiyot Lellisa, Amsalu Tilahun. (2016). The Impacts of Mound-Building Termites on Micronutrients and Soil Hydraulic Properties in Parts of Borana Lowlands Southern Ethiopia. International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, 1(2), 32-41. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160102.14

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ACS Style

Wondimu Tolcha Adugna; Abiyot Lellisa; Amsalu Tilahun. The Impacts of Mound-Building Termites on Micronutrients and Soil Hydraulic Properties in Parts of Borana Lowlands Southern Ethiopia. Int. J. Nat. Resour. Ecol. Manag. 2016, 1(2), 32-41. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160102.14

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AMA Style

Wondimu Tolcha Adugna, Abiyot Lellisa, Amsalu Tilahun. The Impacts of Mound-Building Termites on Micronutrients and Soil Hydraulic Properties in Parts of Borana Lowlands Southern Ethiopia. Int J Nat Resour Ecol Manag. 2016;1(2):32-41. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160102.14

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@article{10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160102.14,
  author = {Wondimu Tolcha Adugna and Abiyot Lellisa and Amsalu Tilahun},
  title = {The Impacts of Mound-Building Termites on Micronutrients and Soil Hydraulic Properties in Parts of Borana Lowlands Southern Ethiopia},
  journal = {International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management},
  volume = {1},
  number = {2},
  pages = {32-41},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160102.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160102.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijnrem.20160102.14},
  abstract = {This study was focuses on the impact of mound- building termite on micronutrients and soil hydraulic properties in three districts of Borana zone. The condition of soil is in unfavorable condition when its physical, chemical and biological features have negative impact on environment. Knowledge on soil hydraulic properties and micro nutrient content for soils affected by termite mound and adjacent unaffected soil will give a clue on the impact of mound building termite for plant establishment. Infiltration rate for adjacent soil profile106.47 mm/hr (Moderately rapid) and for termite mound profile 142.13 mm/hr (rapid) infiltration rate has been observed while the packing density up to 1.80 t m-3(high) for external part of termite mound which isgreater than 1.75 tm-3 and 1.36 t m-3 (low) for adjacent soil profile less than1.40 t m-3. There is also higher concentration of manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) content on external part of termite mound for fine textured soil and no difference in copper (Cu) and Iron (Fe) content between termite mound material and adjacent soil. Generally, the termite mound has positive impact on soil hydraulic properties of soil and micronutrients in order to support plant establishments.},
 year = {2016}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Impacts of Mound-Building Termites on Micronutrients and Soil Hydraulic Properties in Parts of Borana Lowlands Southern Ethiopia
AU  - Wondimu Tolcha Adugna
AU  - Abiyot Lellisa
AU  - Amsalu Tilahun
Y1  - 2016/06/30
PY  - 2016
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160102.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160102.14
T2  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
JF  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
JO  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
SP  - 32
EP  - 41
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-3061
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160102.14
AB  - This study was focuses on the impact of mound- building termite on micronutrients and soil hydraulic properties in three districts of Borana zone. The condition of soil is in unfavorable condition when its physical, chemical and biological features have negative impact on environment. Knowledge on soil hydraulic properties and micro nutrient content for soils affected by termite mound and adjacent unaffected soil will give a clue on the impact of mound building termite for plant establishment. Infiltration rate for adjacent soil profile106.47 mm/hr (Moderately rapid) and for termite mound profile 142.13 mm/hr (rapid) infiltration rate has been observed while the packing density up to 1.80 t m-3(high) for external part of termite mound which isgreater than 1.75 tm-3 and 1.36 t m-3 (low) for adjacent soil profile less than1.40 t m-3. There is also higher concentration of manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) content on external part of termite mound for fine textured soil and no difference in copper (Cu) and Iron (Fe) content between termite mound material and adjacent soil. Generally, the termite mound has positive impact on soil hydraulic properties of soil and micronutrients in order to support plant establishments.
VL  - 1
IS  - 2
ER  -

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Author Information

Wondimu Tolcha Adugna

Soil Fertility Improvement and Soil and Water Conservation Research Team, Yabello Pastoral and Dry Land Agriculture Research Center, Yabello, Ethiopia
Abiyot Lellisa

Soil Fertility Improvement and Soil and Water Conservation Research Team, Yabello Pastoral and Dry Land Agriculture Research Center, Yabello, Ethiopia
Amsalu Tilahun

Soil Fertility Improvement and Soil and Water Conservation Research Team, Yabello Pastoral and Dry Land Agriculture Research Center, Yabello, Ethiopia

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APA Style

Wondimu Tolcha Adugna, Abiyot Lellisa, Amsalu Tilahun. (2016). The Impacts of Mound-Building Termites on Micronutrients and Soil Hydraulic Properties in Parts of Borana Lowlands Southern Ethiopia. International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, 1(2), 32-41. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160102.14

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ACS Style

Wondimu Tolcha Adugna; Abiyot Lellisa; Amsalu Tilahun. The Impacts of Mound-Building Termites on Micronutrients and Soil Hydraulic Properties in Parts of Borana Lowlands Southern Ethiopia. Int. J. Nat. Resour. Ecol. Manag. 2016, 1(2), 32-41. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160102.14

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AMA Style

Wondimu Tolcha Adugna, Abiyot Lellisa, Amsalu Tilahun. The Impacts of Mound-Building Termites on Micronutrients and Soil Hydraulic Properties in Parts of Borana Lowlands Southern Ethiopia. Int J Nat Resour Ecol Manag. 2016;1(2):32-41. doi: 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160102.14

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160102.14,
  author = {Wondimu Tolcha Adugna and Abiyot Lellisa and Amsalu Tilahun},
  title = {The Impacts of Mound-Building Termites on Micronutrients and Soil Hydraulic Properties in Parts of Borana Lowlands Southern Ethiopia},
  journal = {International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management},
  volume = {1},
  number = {2},
  pages = {32-41},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160102.14},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160102.14},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijnrem.20160102.14},
  abstract = {This study was focuses on the impact of mound- building termite on micronutrients and soil hydraulic properties in three districts of Borana zone. The condition of soil is in unfavorable condition when its physical, chemical and biological features have negative impact on environment. Knowledge on soil hydraulic properties and micro nutrient content for soils affected by termite mound and adjacent unaffected soil will give a clue on the impact of mound building termite for plant establishment. Infiltration rate for adjacent soil profile106.47 mm/hr (Moderately rapid) and for termite mound profile 142.13 mm/hr (rapid) infiltration rate has been observed while the packing density up to 1.80 t m-3(high) for external part of termite mound which isgreater than 1.75 tm-3 and 1.36 t m-3 (low) for adjacent soil profile less than1.40 t m-3. There is also higher concentration of manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) content on external part of termite mound for fine textured soil and no difference in copper (Cu) and Iron (Fe) content between termite mound material and adjacent soil. Generally, the termite mound has positive impact on soil hydraulic properties of soil and micronutrients in order to support plant establishments.},
 year = {2016}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Impacts of Mound-Building Termites on Micronutrients and Soil Hydraulic Properties in Parts of Borana Lowlands Southern Ethiopia
AU  - Wondimu Tolcha Adugna
AU  - Abiyot Lellisa
AU  - Amsalu Tilahun
Y1  - 2016/06/30
PY  - 2016
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160102.14
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160102.14
T2  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
JF  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
JO  - International Journal of Natural Resource Ecology and Management
SP  - 32
EP  - 41
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-3061
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijnrem.20160102.14
AB  - This study was focuses on the impact of mound- building termite on micronutrients and soil hydraulic properties in three districts of Borana zone. The condition of soil is in unfavorable condition when its physical, chemical and biological features have negative impact on environment. Knowledge on soil hydraulic properties and micro nutrient content for soils affected by termite mound and adjacent unaffected soil will give a clue on the impact of mound building termite for plant establishment. Infiltration rate for adjacent soil profile106.47 mm/hr (Moderately rapid) and for termite mound profile 142.13 mm/hr (rapid) infiltration rate has been observed while the packing density up to 1.80 t m-3(high) for external part of termite mound which isgreater than 1.75 tm-3 and 1.36 t m-3 (low) for adjacent soil profile less than1.40 t m-3. There is also higher concentration of manganese (Mn) and zinc (Zn) content on external part of termite mound for fine textured soil and no difference in copper (Cu) and Iron (Fe) content between termite mound material and adjacent soil. Generally, the termite mound has positive impact on soil hydraulic properties of soil and micronutrients in order to support plant establishments.
VL  - 1
IS  - 2
ER  -

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