One man’s dung is another man’s treasure: The importance of dung beetles in tropical forests
Dr Eleanor Slade, an ecologist and entomologist specializing in the study of dung beetles and their role in assessing the health and biodiversity of tropical forests, recently participated in a two-week scientific expedition at the Sekar Imej Conservation Area in Sabah, Malaysia. This expedition, involving researchers from the South East Asia Rainforest Research Partnership (SEARRP), Universiti Malaysia Sabah, and Universiti Sains Malaysia, aimed to collect baseline data on the flora and fauna present in the conservation area.
The Role of Dung Beetles in Ecosystems
Dung beetles, along with other insects such as termites, ants, carrion-eating butterflies, and dragonflies, form the foundation of the food chain in tropical forests. These insects play a crucial role in the ecosystem by burying dung from mammals in the soil, facilitating the breakdown of waste into essential nutrients like nitrogen and carbon.
A diverse presence of dung beetle species can provide valuable insights into the health of animal populations in forests. Different species of beetles feed on the manure of different animals, allowing scientists to assess the diversity and abundance of animal species in a given area.
A Day in the Field: The Work of Dr Eleanor Slade and her Team
- 5:30am
- Wake up and have breakfast
- 7:00am
- Prepare bait for dung beetle traps
- Set up the traps
- 8:00am
- Begin hiking to the forest with a team of seven people, including local guides
- Set traps along the trail, with traps placed every 200 meters
- 9:30am
- Set up dung beetle traps designed using plastic bottles
- Kill captured beetles to create a reference collection for DNA analysis
- 9:45am
- Set butterfly traps baited with rotten banana and shrimp paste
- 12pm
- Take a lunch break and continue setting up insect traps
- 2:30pm
- Capture dragonflies along the river near the base camp
- Identify and release the dragonflies back into the wild
- 5:00pm
- Shower and rest before debriefing for the day
- Spend time identifying dragonfly species using available resources
- 7:00pm
- Have dinner and engage in leisure activities
This fieldwork conducted by Dr Eleanor Slade and her team contributes to the understanding of tropical forest ecosystems and supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 15: Life on Land. By studying the biodiversity and health of forests, researchers can contribute to the conservation and sustainable management of these vital ecosystems.
Media access to the sponsored Sekar Imej Conservation Area was facilitated by Wilmar, in collaboration with SEARRP.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article:
- SDG 15: Life on Land
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 14: Life Below Water
2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Based on the Article’s Content:
- SDG 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.
- SDG 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.
- SDG 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
- SDG 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience and take action for their restoration to achieve healthy and productive oceans.
3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article:
- Number and types of flora and fauna present in the conservation area
- Diversity of dung beetle species
- Presence of different species of beetles feeding on the manure of different animals
- Health and diversity of animal populations in forests
- Conservation and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems
- Reduction of degradation of natural habitats
- Protection and prevention of the extinction of threatened species
- Education and awareness on climate change mitigation and adaptation
- Sustainable management and protection of marine and coastal ecosystems
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements. | – Number and types of flora and fauna present in the conservation area – Diversity of dung beetle species – Presence of different species of beetles feeding on the manure of different animals – Health and diversity of animal populations in forests |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species. | – Number and types of flora and fauna present in the conservation area – Diversity of dung beetle species – Presence of different species of beetles feeding on the manure of different animals – Health and diversity of animal populations in forests |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning. | – Education and awareness on climate change mitigation and adaptation |
| SDG 14: Life Below Water | 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience and take action for their restoration to achieve healthy and productive oceans. | – Sustainable management and protection of marine and coastal ecosystems |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: eco-business.com
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