Our culture doesn’t like termites. We associate them with being destructive and exterminate them. As much as our attitude is based in reality, compared to what they’re beginning to do with termites in Africa, it may reflect a certain bias. Termites, as well as ants, are used to improve crop yield. Given the one billion hungry people in the world, finding any way to increase crop production is a big boon. Recent research at the University of Sydney reveals that by digging tunnels termites and ants irrigate the soil and allow plants greater access to water. In many arid areas of Africa, that is being shown to make a big difference making soils more fertile and productive.
Maybe we can now look at termites without shudders and fears.
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