Distribution and density of termite mounds across the dominant land uses in Kahyoro village, Kibaale district, western Uganda.

Abstract

Land use has a significant impact on the termite activity which is measured by the distribution and density of termite mounds in a given landscape. However, these land uses affect the distribution and density of termite mounds. The study was to determine the distribution and density of termite mounds across the dominant land uses in Kahyoro, Kibaale district. The study was conducted in Kahyoro village, Kagadi district, western Uganda Albertine region where a number of land uses are being done. Kibaale district is found in Bunyoro sub region. Soil samples were collected from termite mounds and then five meters away from termite mounds, the heights and diameters of the termite mounds were measured using a tape measure. Four dominant land uses were selected and the number of mounds under each was established and the GPS coordinates of each taken using a hand GPS, each land use was replicated four times during the sampling process. The complete randomized block design was used during the study. The laboratory results on different parameters were entered in an Excel spreadsheet and the data subjected to analysis using the GenStat 14th Edition Statistical software. The results showed that the density of termite mounds density of ranged from (23_+5.7 to 57.5_+5.6) in the study with the highest 57.5_+5.8 mounds in eucalyptus land use and the least in fallow land use , Grazing land was the second with density of 56.2_+5.5 mounds. The highest number of active termite mounds was recorded under grazing land with the least recorded under maize fields. The highest number of inactive termite mounds was recorded under maize fields and the least recorded under grazing land. The mounds were widely distributed under maize fields, then fallows and closely distributed in the fields under grazing lands and eucalyptus fields For soil parameters tested, there was a significant difference in sodium with a mean of 0.04+_0.005. There was no significant difference in the soil pH, Organic matter, potassium, calcium, Phosphorus and soil texture