Termites are an important component of many tropical, sub-tropical, and temperate soil invertebrate communities, and they have an impact on soil hydrological, chemical and biological processes. Termites also emit methane and could be a major factor in the production of this important atmospheric greenhouse gas. Consequently, we are organizing a session on "Termites - their role in soil processes and climate” during the European Geosciences Union (EGU) General Assembly that will be held in Vienna, Austria next April 19-24, 2009. In this session, we invite contributions on the relationship of mound-building and subterranean termites to: 1) soil chemical, physical and biological properties, 2) soil carbon cycling, and 3) methane production and emission to the atmosphere. If enough interest is shown, we would like to have selected papers published as a special issue in an international entomology, soil, or ecology journal. For more information, contact Martin Jurgensen, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) or Brian Forschler, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA ([EMAIL PROTECTED]). Information on the 2009 EGU General Assembly and abstract submission is available at http://meetings.copernicus.org/egu2009
Martin F. Jurgensen Professor of Forest Soils School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science Michigan Technological University 1400 Townsend Drive Houghton, MI 49931 U.S.A.
