Termites could have a major impact on global warming. Image: Shutterstock
Like tiny cows, termites emit methane and carbon dioxide as they feed, and their numbers are likely to increase as the planet warms
Termites are best known as pests that damage homes and wooden furniture, but they also play an overlooked, crucial role in natural ecosystems. Like microbes, they help break down dead wood, but can do so at relatively low humidity levels, such as those found in tropical savannas and subtropical deserts. “These systems are often underestimated in terms of their contribution to the global carbon budget,” says Amy Zanne, biology professor at the University of Miami. Like little cows, termites release carbon from the wood they eat in the form of methane and carbon dioxide, two of the most important greenhouse gases.
At an international A study led by researchers from the University of Liverpool found that termites in locations around the world are very sensitive to changes in temperature and rainfall. As global temperatures warm, their range and numbers will likely expand beyond the tropics, causing them to play a larger role in greenhouse gas emissions. “The impact of termites on the planet could be enormous,” says Zanne.
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