14 Alarming Connections Between Termites and Climate Change: Environmental Scientists' Growing Concerns

3. Soil Structure Modification

Through their digging and nest-building behavior, termites drastically change soil structure, which affects carbon storage and climate resilience. Their intricate tunnel networks create pathways influencing soil water retention, aeration, and distribution of organic materials many meters below earth. These changes might either improve or reduce the capacity of soil to retain rainwater in places suffering more drought brought on by climate change. Termite-modified soils can store up to 12% more carbon than adjacent soils, according to scientists; yet, this capability may be impaired when climate change modulates soil moisture levels.