permaculture

["Lawrence F. London, Jr." <venaurafarm@bellsouth.net>]

Environmental Conservation 36 (1): 71–79
© 2009 Foundation for Environmental Conservation 
doi:10.1017/S0376892909005475
Termite mounds and dykes are biodiversity refuges in paddy fields in
north-eastern Thailand
http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayFulltext?type=1&fid=5571120&jid=ENC&volumeId=36&issueId=01&aid=5571112
"SUMMARY
Paddy fields in north-eastern Thailand are heterogeneous
agro-ecosystems that can be described as
mosaics of paddy rice plots, dykes and termitemounds.
The aim of this study was to determine if this
heterogeneity influences soil macrofauna biodiversity.
While biodiversity did not vary as a result of
different rice management practices (direct seeding
and transplanting), dykes and mounds were vital
to the maintenance of soil macrofauna biodiversity.
Diversity and density were higher in termite mounds
and field dykes, compared to rice plots, especially
during the rainy season. Consequently, termitemounds
and dykes can be considered to be biodiversity hotspots
that behave as refuges for other soilmacrofauna during
the rainy and dry seasons, providing protection against
flooding and dryness. The importance of these patches
of biological activity in terms of ecosystem functioning
and services are discussed.
Keywords: biodiversity, heterogeneity, paddy field, soil
macrofauna, termite mound, Thailand"

Macrofaunal Abundance and Diversity in Selected Farmer
Perceived Soil Fertility Niches in Western Kenya
http://webapp.ciat.cgiar.org/tsbf_institute/managing_nutrient_cycles/AfNetCh34.pdf