Using fungal and nematode diversities
as indicators of the origin of soil aggregates, Diouf et al. [12] and
Villenave et al. [35] concluded that soil sheetings made by fungusgrowing
termites in Africa are produced by translocating soil from
the superficial strata (0e3 cm) at the point of construction (i.e. not
from deep mining). However, information is needed on the physical
and chemical properties of these termite sheetings. In particular, do
their properties reflect the source or are they specific to the type of
sheeting or the prospective food covered? In addition, are longlasting
constructions of this type more extensively modified, representing
a greater investment for more permanent use [14,19,20]?
This study reports an analysis of the properties of termite
sheeting. Our hypotheses were that their chemical and physical
properties vary depending on the type of materials and that clay
and possibly SOM concentrations are higher in long-lasting than
short-lasting constructions.