PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF TERMITE MOUNDS AND THE SURROUNDING SOILS IN MODIBBO ADAMA UNIVERSITY, YOLA ADAMAWA STATE NIGERIA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33003/jaat.2025.1103.02Keywords:
Termite mounds,, soil nutrients,, soil properties,, soil fertility,, soil structureAbstract
A study was conducted to investigate if termite mound soils were different from surrounding soils in terms of soil physical and chemical properties in Modibbo Adama University Yola. The dearth of information limits ecological, agricultural, and environmental roles termites play. Soil samples were collected from two sites at two depths in ten different termite mounds. Physical and chemical properties analysis were carried out upon the composite samples. Results were subjected to a t-test and the results revealed that in comparison to the adjacent soil, the termite mound soils at the surface layer (0–20 cm) significantly (p<0.05) altered soil texture by increasing clay and silt content from 4.18 and 2.32% to 11.35 and 8.05% while reducing sand content from 93.50 to 80.60%. Mound soils were less acidic (5.97) and richer in organic matter (2.49%), Total nitrogen (TN=0.13%), phosphorus (AvP=24.96 mg/kg), and base cations (TEB=5.19 cmol/kg), with significantly improved base saturation. In the subsurface layer (20–50 cm), similar trends in texture were observed, with higher clay (10.44%) and lower sand (82.15%) content. While bulk density and porosity showed no significant variation, termite mounds had a higher pH (6.14) and significantly greater concentrations of TN (0.09%), AvP (21.21 mg/kg), and exchangeable bases. These enhancements, driven by termites confirm their role in improving soil fertility, structure and contribution to resilient ecosystems. Hence, termite activity significantly enhances physical and chemical properties of soil through the enrichment of fine particles and essential nutrients. Preserving termite mounds is thus crucial for land management.
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