Termites arc social insects that arc essential decomposers in tropical rain fore
ID: 802895 • Letter: T
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Termites arc social insects that arc essential decomposers in tropical rain forest ecosystems Termites may account for up to 95 percent of insect biomass in tropical rain forests. Termites consume vast amounts of dead and decomposing plant material, thanks to the work of mutualistic cellulose-digesting microorganism that inhabit their guts. In addition to their roles as important decomposers, termites digest plant materials and directly contribute to carbon dioxide and methane emissions into the atmosphere. It is likely that, like many insect species, termites and their symbionts may be sensitive to changes in their microclimate caused by global climate change, especially with regard to temperature and humidity. (a) Respond to the following using the data in the table above, which gives the rate of wood consumption by termites, in mg per day per termite, under various temperature and relative humidity conditions. Under optimal conditions, the emission rate of methane by termites is approximately 70 kilograms of CH_4 per year per 1, 000 termites. (i) According to the data, what are the optimal temperature and relative humidity for termite activity? (ii) Give a density of 4.5 times 10^7 termites per hectare and optimal conditions, calculate the hectare tropical rain forest. (iii) Suppose the temperature increases to 35 degree C and the relative humidity decreases to 50 percent. Using the data provided, determine the amount of methane, in kilograms, that would be emitted by the termites in the 2, 000-hectare tropical rain forest. (iv) Explain why the population size of termites is also affected by temperature and humidity.Explanation / Answer
i. The optimal temperature and humidity conditions for termite activity are 30 degree celsius and 90% relative humidity because at this condition the value of rate of wood consumption by termites is 0.27 mg/day per termite which is highest.
ii. Given density of termites=4.5*10^7termites/hectare
Total number of termites=2000 hectares*4.5*10^7termites/hectare
=9000 *10^7termites
Given for 1000 termites=70 kg CH4/year
for 9000*10^7 termites=70/1000*9*10^7
=630 *10^7 kg=6.3*10^9 CH4/ year
Therefore 6.3 *10^9kg CH4 /year is emitted by the termites in the 2000 hectare rain forests
iii. The activity of termites at 35 degree celsius and 50% humidity=0.09
activity of termites at optimum temperature and humidity=0.27
The amount of CH4 emitted by the termites in 2000 hectare rainforests per year in the optimum conditions =6.3*10^9 kg CH4/year
Therefore amount of CH4 emitted by the termites in the 35 degree celsius and 50% humidity
=0.09/0.27*6.3 *10^9
=0.33*6.3*10^9
=2.07*10^9=2.1*10^9 kg CH4/year
iv. Temperature and humidity conditions are limiting factors for the termites population. There is a range of temperature and humidity conditions for the tolerance of the termites and their symbionts. At 40 degree celsius the wood consumption by termite ceases because the symbionts living in the guts of termite may die at 40 degree celsius and also at 20 degree celsius the activity of termite is lowest. The activity of termite is lowest at humidity less than 90%. When the temperature and humidity conditions are unfavourable for termites they reproduce less. Also temperature and humidity conditions are limiting factor for growth of plants and their survival. With less availability of foods as plants the termite population will decrease.
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