Ecological functions and factors affecting dung beetle diversity in United States subtropical working lands

Only recently have the potential values of supporting and regulating ecosystem services, necessary to sustain extractive and cultural services, been recognized. These values are difficult to calculate because these services do not have ‘market values’. We focus on dung removal by dung beetles and how this ecosystem service can be factored into pasture rotation management in terms of minimizing rotation days, increasing year-round production and increasing the long-term health of the pasture ecosystems. We developed a model to assess the economic value of the dung degradation ecosystem service under two abundance scenarios. Dung beetle degradation action accounted for a 38.9% reduction in forage loss in managed lands with lower dung beetle abundance versus 57.6% in natural land use with higher dung beetle abundance. This translated into a potential $918,337 annual saving to landowners in ranches and other lands that contain a lower abundance of dung beetles and a potential saving of $1,360, 250 annually under a higher abundance scenario in natural lands. Our study provides useful insights to understand the situation of decomposition ecosystem services and their impact on agricultural productivity at regional levels. It is becoming apparent that the use of pesticides and veterinary medicines impede ecosystem functioning and therefore any decreases in dung removal activity in US grasslands will have a measurable economic impact on livestock owners.