Question

This dung beetle (genus Scarabaeus) is burying a ball of dung it has collected from a large mammalian herbivore in Kenya. Explain why this process is important for the cycling of nutrients and for primary production.

Answer 1

Explanation: The process is crucial for primary production and nutrient cycling as the dung comprises several organic molecules and nutrients that are important for the growth of plants.

By burying the dung, the beetles return the nutrients to the soil, where plants absorb it and use it for growth.