[Terrapreta] Fw: Soil Macrobiology: Dung Beetles

[David Yarrow]

Center for Biological Diversitythe dung beetle nearly vanished in america with the rising use of insecticides between world wars.  among the diversity of beetle chores in soil ecology, the dung beetle slices cow pies, horse apples and other animal manures into small balls and distributes this around the pasture.  in a healthy pasture with a fully diverse living soil ecology, cow pies would vanish in a few days.  after DDT and other insecticides came into use in agriculture, dung beetles perished and cow pies became permanet features of pastures -- and increasing sources of non-point pollution.

~david




Newsweek Does Dung Beetles Too


Since you're already reading Newsweek, turn to the "On Science" section and check out an endangered species article that turns away from the polar bear issue in favor of smaller, creepier, and less cuddly species -- like the American burying beetle. Lamenting the fact that the beetle isn't iconic enough to share the cover with the polar bear, the article celebrates the critical importance of species like moths, spiders, clams, and snails to the great web of life and reminds readers that though these creatures may not be cute, they are the foundation of life on Earth.

For a supportive authority, the article features Kierán Suckling, executive director for the Center for Biological Diversity and famous underdog advocate: "Plants and invertebrates are the silent majority which feed the entire planet, stabilize the soil and make all life possible....", tricks, Suckling says, that "polar bears and blue whales haven't mastered yet."

Still don't have your copy of Newsweek?

Then we guess you can read this article here: http://www.newsweek.com/id/139455
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