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How mass extinctions helped termites become essential engineers of today's tropical ecosystems
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Tropical ecosystems rely on the infrastructure provided by termites. These insects supply plants with vital nutrients by breaking down organic waste, bringing water to the roots by aerating the soil through tunneling, and sustaining the food chain, as they make up an estimated 10–20% of the total biomass of rainforests. But termites were not always the backbone of tropical ecosystems.
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