Evidence of greater dung beetle abundance in a rewilded area compared to nearby organic farms

Brompton, Sarah; Cotton, Sam; Steer, Mark D.

Abstract

Organic farms have been shown to harbour larger and more diverse invertebrate populations and associated ecosystem services compared to other conventional farming methods. However, data on the impacts of rewilding on invertebrates remain scarce.

Dung beetles contribute significantly to ecosystem function and are considered reliable indicators of ecological integrity. They have undergone serious population declines, largely due to changing agricultural practices.

Dung beetles were sampled simultaneously at each of four sites for a total of 120 trapping days at each site. Two of the sites had been rewilded using large, free-roaming herbivores, and two were nearby organic farms.

The rewilding sites yielded greater species richness and abundance compared to organic farms. The abundance of dung beetles was more than 20 times greater at the rewilded sites compared to organic sites.

One paracoprid (dung-burying) species, Onthophagus similis, was particularly abundant, comprising 95% of all individuals at the rewilded sites. Nonetheless, captures at the rewilding sites remained significantly higher even after this species was omitted from the analysis.

Practical implication: While additional research is necessary to ascertain whether our findings signify an atypical occurrence, the evidence from this case study suggests that rewilding with large herbivores may provide an effective strategy to combat dung beetle declines, restore ecological function and enhance ecosystem services.

• Journal Article Type: Data Article / Data Paper
• Acceptance Date: Jan 6, 2025
• Online Publication Date: Feb 6, 2025
• Publication Date: Mar 1, 2025
• Deposit Date: Feb 7, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 7, 2025
• Print ISSN: 2688-8319
• Electronic ISSN: 2688-8319
• Publisher: Wiley Open Access
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 6
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: e70017
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/2688-8319.70017
• Keywords: Knepp, insect, conservation, Scarabaeoidea, ecosystem function, ecological restoration
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/13725612