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Abstract
The introduction of numerous exotic dung beetles across southern Australia in regions where native dung
beetles are not generally efficient in processing livestock dung has resulted in significant reductions in the
quantity of such dung on the soil surface in recent years. However, the direct impacts of such ecosystem
services on pasture quality and soil nutrient mobility have not yet been investigated in the Riverina region of
New South Wales (NSW), an area recognised for prime cattle and sheep production in Australia. Utilising
48 soil columns for lysimetry, we quantified the impact of a common introduced dung beetle (Bubas bison)
in this region on water quality after permeation through four different soil types sown to winter annual
pastures. Dung beetle treatments included dung plus dung beetles, dung alone and no dung beetles, and
no dung and no beetles as a control. Dung beetles and soil type impacted on the performance of improved
overseeded annual pastures as measured by biomass accumulation over a four-month growing season. The
four soil types, namely, Chromosol, Kandosol, Rudosol, and Vertosol, differed considerably with respect
to their water-holding capacity and nutrient profiles, as assessed by initial soil testing and soil leachate
evaluation following rainfall plus simulated rainfall events. The concentration of Escherichia coli resulting
from cattle dung, cattle dung plus beetles, and the control soils without dung or beetles was assessed in
collected leachates over a three-month period. E. coli numbers were significantly increased following B. bison
activity, when compared to the dung-only and control treatments. Evaluation of the soil microbiome, by
assessing genomic DNA in soils sampled 10 cm below the soil surface where dung beetles remained active
following tunnelling, revealed significant differences among soil types with respect to bacterial and fungal
communities. Within each soil type, dung beetle activity impacted the fungal community structure, but
not the bacterial community. Pasture performance as assessed by biomass accumulation was significantly
improved following dung beetle activity in later stages of pasture growth, while E. coli numbers and total
coliforms appeared unaffected by beetle presence.
beetles are not generally efficient in processing livestock dung has resulted in significant reductions in the
quantity of such dung on the soil surface in recent years. However, the direct impacts of such ecosystem
services on pasture quality and soil nutrient mobility have not yet been investigated in the Riverina region of
New South Wales (NSW), an area recognised for prime cattle and sheep production in Australia. Utilising
48 soil columns for lysimetry, we quantified the impact of a common introduced dung beetle (Bubas bison)
in this region on water quality after permeation through four different soil types sown to winter annual
pastures. Dung beetle treatments included dung plus dung beetles, dung alone and no dung beetles, and
no dung and no beetles as a control. Dung beetles and soil type impacted on the performance of improved
overseeded annual pastures as measured by biomass accumulation over a four-month growing season. The
four soil types, namely, Chromosol, Kandosol, Rudosol, and Vertosol, differed considerably with respect
to their water-holding capacity and nutrient profiles, as assessed by initial soil testing and soil leachate
evaluation following rainfall plus simulated rainfall events. The concentration of Escherichia coli resulting
from cattle dung, cattle dung plus beetles, and the control soils without dung or beetles was assessed in
collected leachates over a three-month period. E. coli numbers were significantly increased following B. bison
activity, when compared to the dung-only and control treatments. Evaluation of the soil microbiome, by
assessing genomic DNA in soils sampled 10 cm below the soil surface where dung beetles remained active
following tunnelling, revealed significant differences among soil types with respect to bacterial and fungal
communities. Within each soil type, dung beetle activity impacted the fungal community structure, but
not the bacterial community. Pasture performance as assessed by biomass accumulation was significantly
improved following dung beetle activity in later stages of pasture growth, while E. coli numbers and total
coliforms appeared unaffected by beetle presence.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 115-116 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 2023 |
| Event | Wageningen Soil Conference 2023 - Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands Duration: 28 Aug 2023 → 01 Sept 2023 https://wageningensoilconference.eu/2023/ https://wageningensoilconference.eu/2023/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Programme-Wageningen-Soil-Conference-2023-4.pdf (Program) https://wageningensoilconference.eu/2023/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Book-of-abstracts-WSC2023.pdf (Abstracts) |
Conference
| Conference | Wageningen Soil Conference 2023 |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | Working together on solutions for a sustainable world |
| Country/Territory | Netherlands |
| City | Wageningen |
| Period | 28/08/23 → 01/09/23 |
| Other | Since its start in 2011, the Wageningen Soil Conference is typically organized every two to four years, with the latest edition in 2023. We have decided that the next edition of the Wageningen Soil Conference will take place in 2027. The main reason for this is that there are several major events taking place in Wageningen in the next two years, which take up a lot of organizing capacity. We hope that you will join the Wageningen Soil Conference in 2027, and will keep you updated in due time on the website. We look forward to welcoming you in 2027 to Wageningen for an interactive and inspiring soil conference! |
| Internet address |
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Wageningen Soil Conference 2023
Haque, S. (Participant)
28 Aug 2023 → 01 Sept 2023Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Conference/Symposium › Academic