Mound-building termites and soil microbial biomass: an interaction influencing termite abundance

Termites are more abundant in the warmer lower latitudinal regions of the earth. Within these broad geographic regions, however, the precise nature of the factors influencing termite abundance is poorly understood. The abundance was examined of detritivorous, mound-building termites and certain aspects of the climate, soils and vegetation at 14 sites in tropical northeastern Queensland, Australia.