Savings estimate
Estimate shows the approximate annual economic benefit to this Ranch from dung beetle activity.
Estimate shows the approximate annual economic benefit to this Ranch from dung beetle activity.
Small tunneling beetle that buries dung, improving soil aeration and reducing parasite exposure in pastures. Total body length 0.13–0.20 in. Image copyright: Chris Joll
Roller that shapes dung into balls and buries them away from the pat, redistributing nutrients.Common in central Florida.Image copyright: Continas
Deep tunneler important in sandy soils; mixes organic matter and improves water infiltration.Total body length ~ 0.39–0.51 in.
Smaller metallic scarab that processes smaller pats efficiently in open pastures. Total body length ~ 0.4 - 0.9 inches. Image courtesy of Thomas Shahan, CC BY-NC 4.0, iNaturalist
Dr. Rosie Stanbrook-Buyer is an Assistant Professor of Field Data Science at Bethune-Cookman University, with a specialization in conservation ecology. Her research includes studying the impact of climate instability and ranch management on dung beetles.
Dr. Bhat is a Distinguished University Professor of Natural Resource Economics in the Departments of Earth and Environment and Economics at Florida International University. His research focuses on economic and policy issues related to natural resource management, including water resources, coastal and marine resources, ecosystem services valuation, and agriculture.
Dr. King is a Professor at the University of Central Florida. His primary interests are in community ecology, invasion biology, social insects, and conservation science aimed at understanding the ecosystem services of insects.