The Dung Beetle as a Weapon Against Global Warming.
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Science Text: National Geographic article The Dung Beetle as a Weapon Against Global Warming By Jennifer S. Holland, for National Geographic Originally published September 06, 2013 Published online at http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/09/130904-dung-beetles-global-warming-animals-science/
It may seem like an unlikely environmental hero. But the dung beetle, with its sordid habit of laying eggs in and eating cow poo, might just be a weapon in the battle against global warming.
I like the juxtaposition of “hero” and “eating cow poo.” The word choice grabs attention and is entertaining.
I think this would be a great example to use when teaching hooks for essay writing.
I have heard about this and have always wondered how many microorganisms could possible heal the world as well as humans.
Never would’ve even thought to think about this! Ha!
Agriculture, you see, is a gassy business. The 1.3 billion large ruminants – dairy cows and beef cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats – that burp, fart, and poop around the world emit more greenhouse gases than does the transportation industry, according to the UN.
I did not really believe it when I heard this before.
I like the word choice: gassy business.
I had also learned that the reason why the methane brought about by our bovine poopulation was difficult to control was due to the beef industry and the reliance of the developed world upon beef for sustenance.
These animals are responsible for about a third of global emissions of methane, a gas that makes up half of farming's contributions and is even more potent than the much-maligned CO2. (The other big methane offenders: the natural gas/petroleum industries and landfills.)
I can’t even believe this is true! I had heard about it but never imagined I would read an article!
I wish I had a solution to the necessity of landfills!
Recently learned that the recycling industry and associated materials are causing more problems than they may be worth.
A work in progress to be sure!
This reminds me of an article I read that applauded the use of more insects as food to combat the global emissions caused by the cattle industry. Apparently, insects can serve as substantial sources of protein.
So any animal helping to quell gas release invites investigation. In a paper published August 7 in the journal PLOS ONE, Atte Penttila and colleagues from the University of Helsinki report on experiments released from cow patties, the dung heaps that dot farm pastures.
Dung beetles, by the way, dig burrows into pasture feces and feed on the droppings of cows and other ruminants. They also deposit their eggs in the excrement, and their hatchlings feed on the same stuff.
The answer to the methane question was yes. The scientists found that cow patties with beetles, specifically Aphodius species, rummaging around in them released nearly 40 percent less methane over a summer period than beetle-free cowpats did.
I think this shows that nature was set up to balance itself out. I think it’s interesting that scientist think to study these aspects of nature, but it also, to me, shows a lack of need for human interference. Nature will find balance without our interference.
Do Beetles Really Help?
The beetles' good work happens mainly as they dig around in the poop. Methane is born under anaerobic, or oxygen-free, conditions. So as the insects tunnel through the dung, they aerate it, changing the conditions so that less methane is produced within the pats. This translates to less methane gas released into the atmosphere.
Importantly, the study also showed that the presence of the beetles in aging cowpats increased the release of another greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide. More studies will help clear up whether this cancels out their methane-related efforts.
Again, I think nature will balance itself out.
I like to believe that nature will balance itself out, but cannot do so without disregarding certain factors. Our population, requirements, side-effects and resultant condition cannot be ignored. One statement found in media that has always struck me is found in The Matrix when the Agent is describing humanity to Morpheus and he has arrived at the conclusion that we are a “parasite”. I like to think we are symbiotic, the planet and we, but, the similarities between us and parasites are pretty remarkable.
"In terms of the net effect of global warming, I'd say the jury is still out," said study co-author Tomas Roslin. "Much of the methane emission from cattle escapes from the front and rear of the animal; less escapes from the dung pats. But the beetles' actions should be weighed into any calculations of net effects, so we don't miss the mark," he said.
“..the beetles’ actions should be weighed” at least the beetles are making a small difference and being considered.
It probably shouldn’t (maybe it’s because I teach middle school), but this section strikes me as humorous because it’s stated in such a serious tone: “Much of the methane emission from cattle escapes from the front and rear of the animal…”
Yes, what I actually had heard before reading this article is that it is the cow farts that are the problem.
I can’t imagine all of the giggles that would go along with a read-aloud from this article
I would be interested to hear about the findings of this study…are dung beetles really the answer?
Or are they just like the cows (beef): a solution to one issue that creates another one?
Declining Dung – and Beetles
Sadly, like many animals these days, dung beetles are in decline. Roslin said that in Finland, for example, more than half of dung beetle species are threatened or near endangered.
I should probably feel concern about the demise of the dung beetle, but I don’t. I do have a strong sense of appreciation for the interconnected nature of all living beings on the planet. The loss of any one plant, insect, or mammal can throw off the balance of dependence and have grave consequences for us all.
The reasons include the lack of diversity in both dung and pasture that goes with fewer but more intensively managed farms, and the reduced quality of the dung – which nowadays contains more chemicals, such as anti-parasite drugs given to farm animals.
I have never thought about “dung diversity.” It is concerning that we are drugging animals so intensely for our consumption. If it is killing dung beetles, what is it doing to us?
I agree! All the use of chemicals on our food sources scare me. I know there has to be balance because use of modern resources such as hormones and chemicals make food more affordable, but what is it doing to our bodies? It seems like people have so many more allergies than they did in previous generations? Does human interference with the food chain contribute?
You mean a flu virus strain can evolve in a year to overcome the vaccines that would destroy them but dung beetles can only eat specific poop??
Unacceptable!
Mercy for Animals
Dominion
Slaughterhouse
Farmageddon
I’ve known vegans and vegetarians who choose this lifestyle based on these concerns you mention.
That's troubling, in part because even as the farm industry has suffered due to droughts, higher input costs, and the like, the worldwide demand for beef is only growing.
In the developing world in particular, emissions are on the rise as farms expand. Beetles alone can't contain greenhouse gases, of course, but "we do need to understand and account for the effects of such live agents in changing gas fluxes from dung," Roslin said. "We can't just think of [pats] as passive objects."
The best way to help beetles thrive and "do their thing on the gas fluxes" is to let cattle graze on variable types of outdoor pasture, Roslin said.
I also feel sad about cows being forced into “locked barns” like Cheryl stated. Understanding the dung beetles purpose and allowing the job to be done can benefit the process.
This idea in this paragraph reminds me of a documentary I saw on the science of food. The show discusses how food affects our bodies and what processes make the food work best for our health. They said that grass fed beef provides our bodies with Omega 3 (other benefits I can’t remember), but it does not have the same benefit otherwise.
We have had success with the selection at the Grapevine Farmers Market.
"If we lock our cattle into barns and treat their dung waste, we will be blocking the very cycles" that might make a silent, but still significant, contribution to one of the world's hottest problems.
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It is also a persuasive piece using logos in order to convince the reader of the author’s viewpoint.
Maybe it could be used to prompt more research on the topic? (If used in the classroom)
Book: There is an insect population that is helpful in reducing the negative effects of our ever-increasing bovine population but they are being reduced due to choices we make that likely stems from our beef industry activities.
Head:
Wow! I had never thought about dung beetles and their impact on humanity. Seems similar to honey bees in that I take them for granted and never gave them a second thought. It looks like we are losing a battle here that needs to be won.
Heart:
I look to the future and am concerned. So much in this life, we take for granted, consume, and throw out what we don’t want without so much as a 2nd thought. I have heard the “Honey Bee Extinction” fears but had never thought of the Dung Beetle. I had also heard about the reliance on beef issues…something should be done!
My BHH is very similar to yours. I too was thinking about bee extinction while reading this. I’d never even heard of dung beetles. I too find this concerning when thinking about the future.
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