Consequences of alternative and conventional endoparasite control in cattle for dung-associated invertebrates and ecosystem functioning

Beynon, Sarah A.; Peck, Myron A.; Mann, Darren J.; Lewis, Owen T.

doi:10.1016/j.agee.2012.08.010

Cited by 37 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…This discrepancy is likely to be due to a combination of factors, including the highly seasonal nature of north temperate dung decomposer communities, local variations in community species composition, weather effects on decomposition, and methodological problems due to confounding animal groups or pastures with treatment (Beynon et al . ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Species‐rich dung beetle communities buffer ecosystem services in perturbed agro‐ecosystems

Beynon

Mann

Slade

et al. 2012

Journal of Applied Ecology

116

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Summary1. Many studies document high levels of functional redundancy in ecosystems, suggesting that species extinctions will not be detrimental to ecosystem functions and services. However, apparently redundant taxa may prove critical for sustaining ecosystem functions and services in the context of environmental perturbations. 2. Dung beetles (Coleoptera:Scarabaeidae) provide a valuable ecosystem service in temperate agro-ecosystems by increasing rates of dung decomposition and nutrient cycling. However, there is concern that these services may be negatively affected by changes in species richness and composition due to changes in pasture management and negative effects of anthelmintics used to control livestock parasites. 3. We used a mesocosm experiment to investigate the functional importance of dung beetle species richness in a system perturbed by the anthelmintic, ivermectin. We varied dung beetle species richness within three functional groups in factorial combination with ivermectin treatment. 4. In the short term (1-4 weeks), multi-species dung beetle assemblages achieved higher decomposition rates than monocultures, but only in ivermectin-treated dung. Varying speciesspecific sensitivities to ivermectin meant that species-rich assemblages sustained ecosystem functioning in the context of this anthropogenic perturbation. 5. Over the longer term (36 weeks), there was a significant, positive effect of species richness on dung decomposition in both ivermectin-treated and untreated dung, underlining the functional importance of maintaining a species-rich dung processing community even in the absence of perturbations to the system. 6. Synthesis and applications. The interacting effects of dung beetle species richness and ivermectin highlight the importance of maintaining diverse assemblages in the face of anthropogenic perturbations and suggest that apparent functional redundancy of species in agroecosystems should be interpreted cautiously. Furthermore, different farm management practices (e.g. pesticide use and fragmentation of habitats) may have consequences for ecosystem functions and services that exceed the effects of each when considered in isolation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Dung quality can vary depending on the pastures grazed by cattle (Beynon et al . ). To avoid confounding pasture‐to‐pasture differences with anthelmintic treatment, dung from the same group of cattle grazing the same pasture, but collected pre‐ and post‐treatment, was used in the mesocosm experiments.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Species‐rich dung beetle communities buffer ecosystem services in perturbed agro‐ecosystems

Beynon

Mann

Slade

et al. 2012

Journal of Applied Ecology

116

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“…In South Africa, Krüger & Scholtz (1998) also showed that, under drought conditions, treatment with ivermectin led to a loss of dung beetle species. Beynon et al (2012b) showed a reduction in dung beetle abundance and biomass in dung treated with ivermectin in the UK.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Effects of grazing intensity and the use of veterinary medical products on dung beetle biodiversity in the sub-mountainous landscape of Central Italy

Tonelli

Verdú

Zunino

2017

PeerJ

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Grazing extensification and intensification are among the main problems affecting European grasslands. We analyze the impact of grazing intensity (low and moderate) and the use of veterinary medical products (VMPs) on the dung beetle community in the province of Pesaro-Urbino (Italy). Grazing intensity is a key factor in explaining the diversity of dung beetles. In the case of the alpha diversity component, sites with a low level of grazing activity—related in a previous step to the subsequent abandonment of traditional farming—is characterized by a loss of species richness (q = 0) and a reduction in alpha diversity at the levels q = 1 and q = 2. In the case of beta diversity, sites with a different grazing intensity show remarkable differences in terms of the composition of their species assemblages. The use of VMPs is another important factor in explaining changes in dung beetle diversity. In sites with a traditional use of VMPs, a significant loss of species richness and biomass is observed, as is a notable effect on beta diversity. In addition, the absence of indicator species in sites with a historical use of VMPs corroborates the hypothesis that these substances have a ubiquitous effect on dung beetles. However, the interaction between grazing activity and VMPs when it comes to explaining changes in dung beetle diversity is less significant (or is not significant) than the main effects (each factor separately) for alpha diversity, biomass and species composition. This may be explained if we consider that both factors affect the various species differently. In other words, the reduction in dung availability affects several larger species more than it does very small species, although this does not imply that the former are more susceptible to injury caused by the ingestion of dung contaminated with VMPs. Finally, in order to prevent negative consequences for dung beetle diversity, we propose the maintenance of a moderate grazing intensity and the rational use of VMPs. It is our view that organic management can prevent excessive extensification while providing an economic stimulus to the sector. Simultaneously, it can also prevent the abuse of VMPs.

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“…Larsson, 2014;Horvat et al, 2012) Relative to other drugs, anthelmintics are expected to have significant impacts on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems due to their wide applicability and high frequency of use (Vokřál et al, 2012;Jochmann and Blanckenhorn, 2016). Yet in spite of their widespread use, little attention has been devoted to the fate of benzimidazole anthelmintics in the environment (Beynon, 2012;Beynon et al, 2012).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of drug uptake and deactivation in plant: Fate of albendazole in ribwort plantain (Plantago laceolata) cells and regenerants

Raisová

Podlipná

Szotáková

et al. 2017

Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

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Consequences of alternative and conventional endoparasite control in cattle for dung-associated invertebrates and ecosystem functioning

Cited by 37 publications

References 55 publications

Species‐rich dung beetle communities buffer ecosystem services in perturbed agro‐ecosystems

Species‐rich dung beetle communities buffer ecosystem services in perturbed agro‐ecosystems

Effects of grazing intensity and the use of veterinary medical products on dung beetle biodiversity in the sub-mountainous landscape of Central Italy

Evaluation of drug uptake and deactivation in plant: Fate of albendazole in ribwort plantain (Plantago laceolata) cells and regenerants

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