Community Composition and Ecological Roles of Termites in Agricultural Soils of Benue State, North Central Nigeria

This study documents the community composition of termites in agricultural soils of Benue State, located in Nigeria's North Central geopolitical zone, and evaluates their ecological roles in nutrient cycling and soil physical properties. Termites are among the most ecologically important soil invertebrates in tropical Africa, yet their community structure in Benue State farming systems has not been formally characterised. Soil excavation sampling using standardised monolith methods was conducted at 24 sites stratified by land use type (continuous arable, agroforestry, fallow, and natural woodland) in Gwer-West, Makurdi, and Apa local government areas. Termites were identified to genus level and assigned to functional feeding groups. Soil physical and chemical properties were compared between mound soil, gallery soil, and adjacent undisturbed soil. A total of 18 termite genera from four families were identified. Fungus-cultivating Macrotermitinae dominated agroforestry and fallow sites. Soil feeders dominated in woodland but were virtually absent from intensively farmed plots. Mound soil contained significantly higher clay, organic carbon, and plant-available nitrogen than surrounding bulk soil. The study quantified the positive contribution of termite activity to soil hydraulic conductivity, showing 62 percent greater infiltration rate in termite-inhabited soils. Agricultural monoculture without organic inputs was associated with the lowest termite diversity and abundance. The study recommends the adoption of reduced tillage and organic matter additions to sustain termite communities and their soil engineering services in Benue State farmlands. Keywords: termites, soil ecology, agricultural soils, Benue State, nutrient cycling.