Greenhouse gas emissions from dung pats vary with dung beetle species and with assemblage composition

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178077
• Publication Date: 2017-07-13T12:13:25Z
• Authors: Irene Piccini; Fabrizio Arnieri; Enrico Caprio; Beatrice Nervo; Simone Pelissetti; Claudia Palestrini; Tomas Roslin; Antonio Rolando
• Keywords: Dung beetle; Scarabaeinae

Cattle farming is a major source of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Recent research suggests that GHG fluxes from dung pats could be affected by biotic interactions involving beetles. Whether and how these effects vary among beetle species with assemblage composition yet to established. To examine the link between GHGs different assemblages, we used closed chamber system measure carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) nitrous oxide (N2O) cattle pats. Targeting total four (a pat-dwelling species, roller balls, large small tunnelling species), ran six experimental treatments (four monospecific two mixed) controls (one but without beetles, one neither nor beetles). In this setting, overall presence beetles significantly gas fluxes, contributed unequally emissions. When compared control dung, detected an reduction in cumulative CO2 flux all N2O three most abundant species. These reductions can seen as beneficial ecosystem services. Nonetheless, also observed disservice provided tunneler, Copris lunaris, which increased CH4 flux-an effect potentially traceable species' nesting strategy construction brood balls. were summed into CO2-equivalents across individual compounds, proved emit less than did beetle-free mix providing highest (-32%). As multiple effective reducing CO2-equivalents, conservation diverse assemblages emerges priority agro-pastoral ecosystems.