Changes in the composition and activities of termite communities in relation to changing rainfall.

The foraging activities of termites were measured at nine sites distributed along a rainfall gradient in Tsavo National Park, Kenya. Dead wood disappearance (D, g m-2a-1) was mainly attributable to termites and was related to rainfall (R, mm a-1) by the equation [Formula: see text] Foraging activity was highest during rainy seasons and declined to low levels during the long dry season. The number of species increased with increasing rainfall while the importance of fungus growing Macrotermitinae declined.