Our Work
Field-based research, education, and partnerships advancing wildlife conservation and resilient landscapes across the Borderlands.
Dung Beetle Responses to Grazing Systems and Soil Types
Chris Mott
Chris’s research examines how livestock grazing systems, soil type, and annual rainfall influence dung beetle communities in the Marfa grasslands. He is comparing dung beetle abundance and diversity under rotational and continuous grazing across two dominant soil types. Because dung beetles contribute to nutrient cycling, soil aeration, water infiltration, and the decomposition of livestock waste, they provide valuable indicators of rangeland function. His research also evaluates how drought and changing precipitation affect beetle responses to grazing management. The findings will improve our understanding of belowground ecological processes and help land managers develop grazing strategies that support healthy soils, productive rangelands, and diverse invertebrate communities.
