DUNG BEETLES
Ecosystem Interactions
1) If the farmer increases the number of cattle in the paddock what will happen to the number of
flies?
2) What will be the result if the farmer increases the number of dung beetles?
3) What are two changes that could cause the amount of dung in the paddock to increase?
Life cycle of a tunnelling dung beetle
Benefits Dung Beetles Provide
Vegetation Types in Australia
>30% foliage cover
10-30% foliage cover
Your local Natural Community
The dominant plant is:________________________________________________________
What is the height of the biggest (dominant) plant?_________________________________
Estimate the percentage foliage cover:___________________________________________
I observe the understorey to be mainly:__________________________________________
This native plant community is a:_______________________________________________
Native Plants to look for at Pleasant Hills Esplanade
Common name: Mat-rush
Botanical name: Lomandra
multiflora
Common name: Yellow Box
Botanical name: Eucalyptus
melliodora
Features: Tough strap-like
leaves, many flowers on a stem
Features: Rough and fibrous
bark at base, smooth and
creamy bark on the higher
branches.
Common name: Silver Wattle
Botanical name: Acacia dealbata
Features: Soft, feathery leaves
The leaves are useful for
weaving and can be used to
make things like baskets, mats
and food containers.
Seeds produced by this plant are
used by Aboriginal people to
make flour and bread. The sticky
resin is also useful in
waterproofing and gluing tools
together