Light-side of the termites: Distance effect of termite nests on tree growth and pathogen resilience of tree species in Taman Botani at UMT
2023, Dr. Petr Heděnec, Institute for Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, University Malaysia Terengganu (Malaysia)
Parks are vital hubs for both nature and communities, providing numerous benefits to society and the environment. One often overlooked contributor to park ecosystems is the termite—a key player in decomposing plant residuals, especially in tropical regions. Termites play a crucial role in recycling plant materials, releasing nutrients for the benefit of various plants, including trees. Moreover, termite nests serve as nutrient reservoirs, fostering stable water conditions and nutrient cycling.
Despite their essential role, little is known about how termite activity and nutrient accumulation in nests influence the health and growth of tree species in urban tropical parks. To bridge this knowledge gap, our proposed field research focuses on Taman Botani at UMT. We aim to investigate how the distance from termite nests impacts the growth and pathogen resistance of three tree species: Dipterocarpus, Shorea, and Agathis.
Our study will also compare the effects of distance gradients on tree health between two common wood-feeding termite species—Macrotermes and Globitermes—in Taman Botani at UMT. To achieve this, we will employ dendrometers for measuring tree growth and utilize qPCR and ergosterol measurements to identify and quantify fungal pathogens at varying distances from termite nests.
Our hypothesis posits that trees near termite nests will exhibit enhanced growth and reduced fungal pathogens due to increased nutrient concentrations in the soil. We further anticipate that Macrotermes, with its symbiotic relationship with basidiomycetes Termitomyces, will accumulate more nutrients. As a result, trees near Macrotermes nests are expected to demonstrate superior growth and resistance to pathogens compared to those near Globitermes nests.
The insights gained from this research hold significance for contemporary arboriculture studies and the restoration of degraded forest parks. By unraveling the intricate relationships between termites, trees, and soil nutrients, we aim to contribute valuable knowledge that will aid in the preservation and enhancement of urban green spaces, ensuring the well-being of both ecosystems and communities.
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Results:
Termites are often seen as pests, but in tropical ecosystems, they play an important and often overlooked role in maintaining healthy soils and supporting plant life. This project, supported by the TREE Fund, investigated whether termite nests in tropical urban parks can positively
affect nearby trees by improving soil quality and reducing harmful fungi that cause plant diseases. Our study focused on two common types of termites: Macrotermes, which build large nests and farm fungi inside their mounds, and Globitermes, which build smaller mounds without fungal farming. We carried out our research in two public parks in Malaysia—Taman Botani at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu and Taman Tasik Kuala Nerus. We monitored the growth of selected tree species and collected soil samples at different distances (0, 5, and 10 meters) from termite nests to understand how the presence of termites affects tree health, soil nutrients, and fungal communities.
Soils directly around termite nests had noticeably different physical properties. For example, the electrical conductivity (a sign of nutrient movement and salt content) was higher near nests than farther away. We also found that the texture of the soil changed — with more silt and less sand near nests. These effects were more visible in areas with active environmental conditions, like those closer to the coast. Despite changes in soil properties, tree growth did not differ significantly based on proximity to termite nests during our monitoring period. This suggests that it may take longer to see a measurable impact on tree size, or that other environmental factors are more important in the short term. One of our most interesting results was that harmful fungi were less common in soils from termite nests. Fungal diversity and biomass were actually higher at distances of 5 and 10 meters from nests. This suggests termite nests may help suppress certain plant pathogens—possibly due to the chemicals termites use to protect their mounds, or the stable conditions inside the nests that discourage fungal growth. Macrotermes nests appeared to influence soil over a wider area compared to Globitermes. Additionally, local environmental conditions (e.g., coastal winds, vegetation cover) played a role in how strongly nests affected surrounding soil.
In summary, this project adds to our understanding of how termite nests shape their environments and influence tree health in urban parks. While we did not observe immediate changes in tree growth, the reduced presence of fungal pathogens near termite nests is a promising sign that termites may help trees resist disease naturally. These findings can help arborists and park managers make better decisions about tree planting and soil management in tropical urban areas, and encourage more positive views of termites as ecosystem allies. We sincerely thank the TREE Fund for their generous support, which was instrumental in advancing our research and fostering valuable international collaboration.
Picture 1: Map of the sampling locations in Taman Kuala Nerus and Taman Botani at UMT Terengganu
Picture 2: Digital dendrometers attached to trees ready to measure data
Year: 2023
Funding Duration: 2 years
Grant Program: Jack Kimmel International Grant Program
Grant Title: Light-side of the termites: Distance effect of termite nests on tree growth and pathogen resilience of tree species in Taman Botani at UMT
Researcher:Dr. Petr Heděnec, Institute for Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, University Malaysia Terengganu (Malaysia)
Co-PIs: Dr. Amirah Alias, Ph. D., Faculty of Science and Marine Environment. University Malaysia Terengganu; Dr. Siti Norasikin Ismail Ph. D., Institute of Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, University Malaysia Terengganu; Dr. Aqilah Mohammad, Ph. D., Institute of Tropical Biodiversity and Sustainable Development, University Malaysia Terengganu; Aleš Buček, Ph. D., Institute of Entomology, Biological Center of Czech
Academy of Sciences.
Key words:
Publications:
Zahari, F. A., Tarmizi, U. H., Ismail, S. N., Buček, A., Frouz, J., Wu, F., Peng, Y., Kjøller, R., & Hedeněc, P. (2025). Distance gradient effects of termite nest on soil physico-chemical properties in selected urban parks of Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia. In Proceedings of the SOILS 2025 International Soil Science Conference (p. 400). soil Science Society of Malaysia. eISBN: 978-967-16101-7-6.
We created public database of DNA sequences related to fungal pathogen. The public database is available at European Nuceotide Archive – accession number PRJEB94301 (available in January 2026).
Professional Presentations: