@article{PAR00006339,
  title = {{D}ung beetles ({C}oleoptera: {S}carabaeidae) can improve soil hydrological properties},
  author = {{B}rown, {J}. and {S}choltz, {C}. {H}. and {J}aneau, {J}ean-{L}ouis and {G}rellier, {S}. and {P}odwojewski, {P}ascal},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{A}lthough dung beetles are known to perform a multitude of ecosystem services, their effects on water infiltration, runoff, porosity, moisture and erosion of soil have never been thoroughly researched. {M}aintenance of these hydrological properties is important in agro-ecosystem functioning where overgrazing results in negative impacts on the soil. {T}he study site was located in the {P}otshini catchment in {K}wazulu-{N}atal ({S}outh {A}frica), an area heavily grazed by livestock. {W}e conducted two rainfall simulations on three 1 m(-2) control (no dung) and six dung-treated plots in {D}ecember 2008, and repeated the study in {J}une 2009 on the same plots. {N}atural populations of dung beetles were allowed to colonise the dung. {S}imulations were conducted for 30 min at an intensity of 30 mm h(-1). {K}ey variables calculated were pre-runoff amounts ({P}i), infiltration ratios ({K}i), and soil losses. {S}amples were collected for bulk density determination during the same time periods in order to measure differences in porosity and moisture in control and dung-treated plots at different depths. {U}sing multivariate statistics we found significant differences between dung-treated and control plots in three of four simulations. {A}fter 48 h of beetle activity, {P}i and {K}i values were significantly increased and remained at elevated levels six months later. {S}oil losses were initially higher in dung-treated plots than controls, but had declined to less than control values after six months. {B}ulk density in the {A}-horizon (0-10 cm) was significantly reduced after 48 h of beetle activity and remained so for six months. {N}o difference in bulk density was observed at greater depths. {S}oil moisture initially increased significantly in the {A}-horizon, as well as at 20 and 30 cm depths after six months of activity. {W}e conclude that dung beetles positively influence hydrological properties of the soil by increasing water infiltration and soil porosity, and reducing surface water runoff. {C}ontrasting effects on soil losses are problematic to reconcile from this study. {H}igh losses initially observed may be offset in the long-term by reductions associated with the increased infiltration ratios, though this remains to be confirmed.},
  keywords = {{B}ulk density ; {E}rosion ; {I}nfiltration ; {L}and degradation ; {P}aracoprid ; beetles ; {R}unoff},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{A}pplied {S}oil {E}cology},
  volume = {46},
  numero = {1},
  pages = {9--16},
  ISSN = {0929-1393},
  year = {2010},
  DOI = {10.1016/j.apsoil.2010.05.010},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/{PAR}00006339},
}