Species Composition and Ecological Role of Termites in Forest Soils of Ekiti State, South West Nigeria

Termites are ecologically significant soil engineers in tropical forest ecosystems, contributing substantially to nutrient cycling, soil structure modification, and organic matter decomposition. This study investigated termite species composition and their ecological role in forest soils across three vegetation types in Ekiti State: natural forest, secondary regrowth, and forest plantation. Termites were sampled using standardised baiting methods, soil core excavation, and mound examination at five plots per vegetation type. Collected specimens were identified to the species level using morphological keys. Soil physicochemical properties were measured at termite-active and termite-inactive microsites to quantify mound-building effects. Results revealed thirty-one termite species distributed across fourteen genera, with highest species richness recorded in natural forest. Secondary regrowth supported intermediate diversity while plantation soils had the lowest termite diversity. Termite mound soils consistently showed higher clay content, greater total nitrogen, and elevated pH compared to surrounding bulk soils, reflecting the fertilisation effect of termite activities. Decomposer and fungus-growing termite guilds were most abundant in natural forest, while wood-feeders were proportionally more common in plantation areas. The study highlights the value of natural termite assemblages in maintaining soil fertility and recommends minimising soil disturbance in forest management operations in Ekiti State. Keywords: termites, soil ecology, species diversity, forest soil, Ekiti State.