Dung beetles feasting on horse manure
The Dung Beetle Release Strategy Group (it really does exist) says the introduction of up to 11 foreign species of dung beetle into New Zealand, which hoover up animal dung for food, will lead to a reduction in the greenhouse gas byproduct of dung, nitrous oxide.
Group spokesman Andrew Barber said the introduction of the beetles from Australia, the south of France, Spain and South Africa, would bring several benefits for farmers. Among these were the beetles’ ability to improve pastures and soil profile by tunnelling 30cm to 60cm to bury manure, aerating the soil and enabling better water penetration, reducing the need for fertilisers.
Mr Barber said they would also reduce greenhouse gas emissions from dung. The beetles aid carbon sequestration by storing the carbon contained in the organic matter deep in the soil.
Image via Wikipedia: Dung beetle
Entomologist Ruud Kleinpaste doubted the introduction of dung beetles would cause an ecological upheaval, despite earlier animal imports such as possums, rabbits and mustelids that have become expensive problems. He said it was unlikely that they would compete with the 17 species of native dung beetles in native forests. But he urged caution. “We have mammals here now and the poo is causing nitrification and causing major pollution on our farms,” he said.
Mr Barber said that if the idea were approved it could take 15 to 20 years for the beetles to become fully established and for their labours to become obvious.
Source: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/the-changing-world/news/article.cfm?c_id=1502962&objectid=10675713
Tags: Dung beetle, environment, global warming
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