|
|
|
 |
|
|
Presentation
< back to presentation overview
| Details of the presentation |
| Presentation |
Poster presentation |
| Title |
Diversity islands of special ecological and socio-economical relevance: Sustainable use of termite mounds and their products
|
| PDF Download |
--- |
| Short title |
---
|
| Author(s) |
Erpenbach, A.; Hahn-Hadjali, K.; Reichmann, S.; Korb, J.;
|
| Presenting author |
---
|
| Institution(s) |
---
|
| Keywords |
---
|
| Abstract |
Termite mounds in the Pendjari region (northern Benin) constitute diversity islands with a special composition of plant species. These microhabitats that are mainly constructed by the fungus growing termite Macrotermes bellicosus are threatened in populated areas in the Pendjari region due to an unsustainable use. A high percentage of plant species which are found on termite mounds are of high traditional medicinal value. Thus, this habitat loss has severe socioeconomic implications. We investigated the (i) spatio-temporal dynamics of mounds and (ii) factors that limit the occurrence of plants to these microhabitats to develop management recommendations for a sustainable use. In protected areas, the annual survival probability of termite colonies is high. Distribution patterns indicate that the density of established colonies in protected areas is primarily regulated by intraspecific competition. While studies to reveal the factors limiting specific plant species to termite mounds are still in progress, these results suggest that a utilisation of a density-dependent number of termite mounds would be sustainable, because these mounds would be eliminated by intraspecific competition anyway.
|
| Congress Topic |
Land use, impact and value
|
| Topic No. |
--- |
| Notes |
---
|
| Ref. No. |
639 |
|
|
|
