Dataset Information

Global termite methane emissions have been affected by climate and land-use changes.

ABSTRACT: Termites with symbiotic methanogens are a known source of atmospheric methane (CH₄), but large uncertainties remain regarding the flux magnitude. This study estimated global termite CH₄ emissions using a framework similar to previous studies but with contemporary datasets and a biogeochemical model. The global termite emission in 2020 was estimated as 14.8 ± 6.7 Tg CH₄ year^-1, mainly from tropical and subtropical ecosystems, indicating a major natural source from upland regions. Uncertainties associated with estimation methods were assessed. The emission during the historical period 1901-2021 was estimated to have increased gradually (+ 0.7 Tg CH₄ year^-1) as a result of combined influences of elevated CO₂ (via vegetation productivity), climatic warming, and land-use change. Future projections using climate and land-use scenarios (shared socioeconomic pathways [ssp] 126 and 585) also showed increasing trends (+ 0.5 to 5.9 Tg CH₄ year^-1 by 2100). These results suggest the importance of termite emissions in the global CH₄ budget and, thus, in climatic prediction and mitigation.

SUBMITTER: Ito A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10567709 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Global termite methane emissions have been affected by climate and land-use changes.

Ito Akihiko A

Scientific reports 20231011 1

Termites with symbiotic methanogens are a known source of atmospheric methane (CH4), but large uncertainties remain regarding the flux magnitude. This study estimated global termite CH4 emissions using a framework similar to previous studies but with contemporary datasets and a biogeochemical model. The global termite emission in 2020 was estimated as 14.8 ± 6.7 Tg CH4 year-1, mainly from tropical and subtropical ecosystems, indicating a major natural ...[more]

PMID: 37821639

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Dataset Information

Global termite methane emissions have been affected by climate and land-use changes.

Publications

Global termite methane emissions have been affected by climate and land-use changes.

Similar Datasets

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