Engineering biodiversity from within: Termites reshape deadwood as habitat in subtropical forests

Abstract Research Highlights: Ci, H., Guo, C., Sai, B.‐L., Tuo, B., Zhao, W.‐W., Qin, H.‐T., Zhang, T., Yan, E.‐R., & Cornelissen, J. H. C. (2025). The wood economics spectrum modulates the positive effects of termite foraging intensity on deadwood invertebrate diversity. Functional Ecology . https://doi.org/10.1111/1365‐2435.70021 . Deadwood supports biodiversity and stores carbon, yet most research has focused on temperate fungi‐driven systems. In subtropical forests, Ci et al. (2025) reveal how termites act as biodiversity engineers by selectively feeding on wood with acquisitive traits and importing soil, creating microhabitats that enhance invertebrate richness. Surprisingly, wood traits alone did not predict diversity; instead, termite activity mediated biodiversity outcomes. These effects varied between sites, indicating context dependency. This study further highlights termites' role as ecosystem engineers. It opens new avenues to explore how termites influence broader decomposition and carbon cycling processes.