Study on community perception of termite expansion and control in Borana plateau: Case study of Southern Oromia, Ethiopia

Ecologically termites can be divided into damp wood dwellers, dry wood dwellers under and above ground dwellers in Dire, Miyo and Moyale districts. The combination of methods and tools such as stakeholder, key informant interview, group discussions, timelines, transect walk, community sketches were used. About 90 pastoralists were interviewed formally on its expansion and control techniques. The cause of termite expansion in the study area is diverse and complex. Mound-less termites take the advantages of camel population growth in the Borana rangelands as reproduction ground to quickly reproduce and expanded in the grasslands. Participatory rural appraisal was also conducted to assess the trend of termite expansion in the past 50 years. It was found that the expansion of termite has been increasing linearly. Pastoralists expect the coming 20 years termites may forage human beings due to the extent of its abundance. According to the respondents mound-less termites prefer the Adoolleessa (cool dry season) and the onset of rain at the end of dry season (Bona-Hagayyaa). Termite invasion is a new phenomenon which becomes a threat to rangeland management. The termite fauna of Ethiopia is not well known. At present 62 species belonging to 25 genera and four families have been recorded and 10 of the species are endemic. Currently, 100% of interviewers’ in responses of no traditional and modern termite control techniques. Accordingly after the bun of traditional prescribed burning techniques, termite infestation becomes serious. There are termite predators such as ant, different bird species and poultry but worth less in termite control.  The only plant species that is resistant to termite species in the study locally called Annannoo which is foraged by camel.   Key words: Borana lowland, termite expansion, termite mound, community perception.