Dung Beetle Activity Is Soil-Type-Dependent and Modulates Pasture Growth and Associated Soil Microbiome

The introduction of numerous exotic dung beetles across southern Australia in regions where native are not generally efficient processing livestock has resulted significant reductions the quantity such on soil surface recent years. However, direct impacts ecosystem services pasture quality and nutrient mobility have yet been investigated Riverina region New South Wales (NSW), an area recognised for prime cattle sheep production Australia. Utilising 48 columns lysimetry, we quantified impact a common introduced beetle (Bubas bison) this water after permeation through four different types sown to winter annual pastures. Dung treatments included plus beetles, alone no as control. type impacted performance improved overseeded pastures measured by biomass accumulation over four-month growing season. types, namely, Chromosol, Kandosol, Rudosol, Vertosol, differed considerably with respect their water-holding capacity profiles, assessed initial testing leachate evaluation following rainfall simulated events. concentration Escherichia coli resulting from dung, control soils without or was collected leachates three-month period. E. numbers were significantly increased B. bison activity, when compared dung-only treatments. Evaluation microbiome, assessing genomic DNA sampled 10 cm below remained active tunnelling, revealed differences among bacterial fungal communities. Within each type, activity community structure, but community. Pasture later stages growth, while total coliforms appeared unaffected presence.