Dr Bernard Doube
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Dung beetle and soil health expert Dr Bernard Doube is the director of Dung Beetle Solutions Australia (DBSA), which he established in 2003. Bernard is an international expert on dung beetles, earthworms and the biological basis of soil health.
Bernard worked with CSIRO for 29 years and was OIC of the CSIRO Dung Beetle Research Unit in Pretoria, South Africa, for 7 years. He has published many research articles on dung beetles, earthworms and the biological basis of soil health. He has conducted grant-funded research since 2003 in association with many research partners including water authorities, federal agencies (e.g. Meat and Livestock Australia), universities, and Landcare and other landholder groups. |
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Dr Doube is one of nine partners in an international consortium (Australia, France, New Zealand) to introduce new dung beetle species to Australia. The 4 year programme has a total budget of $23 m and aims to define the gaps in the southern Australian dung beetle fauna, identify overseas species to fill those gaps, introduce them to Australia then mass rear and distribute them. Another component of the program will support a number of post docs and PhD student to assess the economic value of dung beetle activity in Australia.
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Visit the new webpage from Natural Resources SA - Benefits of using Dung Beetles.
Sometimes referred to as ‘nature’s architects’, dung beetles are a desirable part of a healthy landscape and can significantly improve the overall health of your soil. They benefit your property by breaking down organic material, transporting nutrients from the surface to the subsoil, improving water infiltration and reducing runoff. Dung beetles also reduce flies and odours by physically removing dung from the soil surface. This also helps to control dung-borne parasites. Visit the new webpage for more info including the new factsheet by Bernard. |
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'Dung down under: dung beetles for Australia'
World dung beetle expert Dr Bernard Doube has teamed up with organic agriculturalist Tim Marshall to produce the first farmer-friendly book on the ecology and management of dung beetles in Australia, possibly the world. It is an essential reference for farmers, Landcare groups and environmental organisations concerned with sustainable land management. The book is available on the DBSA website. Visit the Dung Beetle Solutions Australia website and Facebook page |
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