Potential Impact of Climate Change on Termite Distribution in Africa
B. M. Ahmed(Shiday) *
Department of Forest and Ecosystem Science, University of Melbourne, 500 Yarra Boulevard, Richmond, Vic, 3121, Australia.
P. O. Y Nkunika
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Zambia, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia.
G. W. Sileshi
World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), P.O. Box 30798, Lilongwe, Malawi.
J. R. J. French
Faculty of Science, Health and Education, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, Qld, 4558, Australia.
P. Nyeko
Department of Forestry, Biodiversity and Tourism, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
S. Jain
Department of Mathematics and statistics, University of Zambia, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Termites (Order: Isoptera) constitute an integral component of various ecosystems in Africa. Termites are also amongst the most difficult insects to study because of their cryptic behaviour and natural nesting habitat. There are around 2600 species of termites in 280 genera which have been described worldwide and about 39% of the total termite species are found in Africa. Termite identification is crucial to understanding termite distribution and their relationship to climate change. Some termite species are well known pests of agricultural crops, forest trees, wood products and timber-in-service causing considerable damage in Africa.
This review paper attempts to collate information on African termite distribution and climate change and highlights some knowledge gaps. Africa is the origin of the termite family of Macrotermitinae. The paper focuses more on economically important termite species in Africa. The use of traditional identification methods coupled with molecular techniques in resolving some of the challenges in termite distribution with particular reference to climate change in Africa are discussed.
There is scant information on published literature on the impact of climate change on termites with particular reference to termite distribution in Africa. However there is anectodal evidence to suggest that African termite species will be affected by changes in the local and global climate.
Keywords: Isoptera, termites, distribution, climate change, Africa