title: The effects of dung beetles on ecosystem functioning: From global trends to New Zealand pastures

authors: Hasan, Fevziye

subjects: Dung beetles

abstract: Dung beetles are amazing. Their diverse nesting behaviours affect a suite of important biotic and abiotic ecosystem processes, or functions. However, the dynamics of these functions across different ecosystems and over time remain largely unknown. This PhD thesis investigates the relationships between dung beetles and ecosystem functions, from global-scale trends to the introduced dung beetle communities in pastures of Aotearoa New Zealand. In the first chapter, I provide an overview of the research topic. I go on to describe ecosystem functioning, and in particular the biotic drivers that shape these processes which ultimately lead to ecosystem multifunctionality and the delivery of ecosystem services that benefit humans. I then emphasise the natural history of dung beetles as a springboard to posit whether we can use dung beetles to enhance ecosystem functioning in human modified landscapes, such as agricultural livestock pastures.
The ecosystem functions and services delivered by dung beetles are wide-ranging, including dung removal, nutrient cycling, plant growth enhancement, bioturbation, secondary seed dispersal and trophic regulation. In a meta-analysis of the relationships between dung beetles and ecosystem functions and services (chapter two), I reveal significant positive relationships between dung beetle presence on all measured ecosystem functions, with mixed nesting behaviours showing greater enhancement of ecosystem functioning. Additionally, the findings highlight the significant gaps in our understanding of the mechanisms by which dung beetles contribute to ecosystem functioning, particularly in relation to primary productivity and trophic regulation. Next, in a comparative analysis of dung beetle community characteristics (chapter three) I examine the potential of community structure, community-weighted functional traits, and metabolic rates in predicting dung removal. My findings show that the use of a nesting behaviour index serves as a reliable functional trait for predicting dung removal.
In a mesocosm experiment (chapter four), I attempt to disentangle the mechanisms through which dung beetle temporal diversity drives direct and indirect changes in ecosystem multifunctionality. By comparing methods including individual ecosystem functions, ecosystem multifunctionality metrics, and structural equation modelling, I demonstrate that a causal inference approach best describes ecosystem multifunctionality. In the concluding chapter (chapter five), I synthesise the overarching significance of the findings obtained in the preceding chapters and examine the potential of dung beetles as a nature-based solution in agricultural landscapes. I propose that the introduction of dung beetles can be viewed as a means of ecological intensification, offering potential advantages for multitrophic diversification. Overall, the findings of this thesis have positive implications for nature-based management, offering promising prospects for fostering self-sustaining agroecosystems that can benefit future generations.

text: The effects of dung beetles on ecosystem functioning: From global trends to New Zealand pastures Dung beetles are amazing. Their diverse nesting behaviours affect a suite of important biotic and abiotic ecosystem processes, or functions. However, the dynamics of these functions across different ecosystems and over time remain largely unknown. This PhD thesis investigates the relationships between dung beetles and ecosystem functions, from global-scale trends to the introduced dung beetle communities in pastures of Aotearoa New Zealand. In the first chapter, I provide an overview of the research topic. I go on to describe ecosystem functioning, and in particular the biotic drivers that shape these processes which ultimately lead to ecosystem multifunctionality and the delivery of ecosystem services that benefit humans. I then emphasise the natural history of dung beetles as a springboard to posit whether we can use dung beetles to enhance ecosystem functioning in human modified landscapes, such as agricultural livestock pastures.
The ecosystem functions and services delivered by dung beetles are wide-ranging, including dung removal, nutrient cycling, plant growth enhancement, bioturbation, secondary seed dispersal and trophic regulation. In a meta-analysis of the relationships between dung beetles and ecosystem functions and services (chapter two), I reveal significant positive relationships between dung beetle presence on all measured ecosystem functions, with mixed nesting behaviours showing greater enhancement of ecosystem functioning. Additionally, the findings highlight the significant gaps in our understanding of the mechanisms by which dung beetles contribute to ecosystem functioning, particularly in relation to primary productivity and trophic regulation. Next, in a comparative analysis of dung beetle community characteristics (chapter three) I examine the potential of community structure, community-weighted functional traits, and metabolic rates in predicting dung removal. My findings show that the use of a nesting behaviour index serves as a reliable functional trait for predicting dung removal.
In a mesocosm experiment (chapter four), I attempt to disentangle the mechanisms through which dung beetle temporal diversity drives direct and indirect changes in ecosystem multifunctionality. By comparing methods including individual ecosystem functions, ecosystem multifunctionality metrics, and structural equation modelling, I demonstrate that a causal inference approach best describes ecosystem multifunctionality. In the concluding chapter (chapter five), I synthesise the overarching significance of the findings obtained in the preceding chapters and examine the potential of dung beetles as a nature-based solution in agricultural landscapes. I propose that the introduction of dung beetles can be viewed as a means of ecological intensification, offering potential advantages for multitrophic diversification. Overall, the findings of this thesis have positive implications for nature-based management, offering promising prospects for fostering self-sustaining agroecosystems that can benefit future generations.

year: 2023

title: An analysis of cooking queries: Implications for supporting leisure cooking

authors: Cunningham, Sally Jo

subjects: computer science

abstract: Cooking is a common and an information-intensive activity. We analyze a set of 678 cooking-related queries to identify the attributes that cooks provide in their queries to the Google AnswersTM ‘ask an expert’ online reference system. The results suggest directions to take in developing an effective organization and improved functionality for a cooking-focused digital library.

text: An analysis of cooking queries: Implications for supporting leisure cooking Cooking is a common and an information-intensive activity. We analyze a set of 678 cooking-related queries to identify the attributes that cooks provide in their queries to the Google AnswersTM ‘ask an expert’ online reference system. The results suggest directions to take in developing an effective organization and improved functionality for a cooking-focused digital library.

year: 2013

title: Composition Portfolio

authors: Ulenberg, Phillippa

subjects: composition portfolio

abstract: The music written for this portfolio offers creative answers to some of the challenges facing contemporary New Zealand composition, including multiculturalism.This has involved in-depth research using a variety of methods. Engagement was undertaken with linguists and musicians from Malaysia and Korea, who not only assisted with texts, but also spoke knowledgeably about their cultural traditions and past and present musical genres. The inclusion of Chinese gu-zheng in several of the works was made possible with the assistance given by Chen Xi Yao, an excellent performer who comes from a long lineage of musicians. Attending concerts given by performers of the instruments that have been used in the portfolio was essential to understanding the sounds and uses of the instruments. In addition, on-line sources include many examples of the sounds. Attendance at workshops on Māori taonga pūoro also brought the additional honour, benefits and experience of making and playing the instruments, and the opportunities to meet and work with leading makers and performers of these musical treasures. Sources of Western classical music that have been particularly influential during the writing of the portfolio are orchestral works by Igor Stravinsky, Samuel Barber and Param Vir, and the song cycles of Alban Berg and Benjamin Britten. Luciano Berio’s virtuosic piece for solo bassoon was also instructive. Experiences of composition, reflection and scholarly research underpin the portfolio and have have informed the composition of each work.

text: Composition Portfolio The music written for this portfolio offers creative answers to some of the challenges facing contemporary New Zealand composition, including multiculturalism.This has involved in-depth research using a variety of methods. Engagement was undertaken with linguists and musicians from Malaysia and Korea, who not only assisted with texts, but also spoke knowledgeably about their cultural traditions and past and present musical genres. The inclusion of Chinese gu-zheng in several of the works was made possible with the assistance given by Chen Xi Yao, an excellent performer who comes from a long lineage of musicians. Attending concerts given by performers of the instruments that have been used in the portfolio was essential to understanding the sounds and uses of the instruments. In addition, on-line sources include many examples of the sounds. Attendance at workshops on Māori taonga pūoro also brought the additional honour, benefits and experience of making and playing the instruments, and the opportunities to meet and work with leading makers and performers of these musical treasures. Sources of Western classical music that have been particularly influential during the writing of the portfolio are orchestral works by Igor Stravinsky, Samuel Barber and Param Vir, and the song cycles of Alban Berg and Benjamin Britten. Luciano Berio’s virtuosic piece for solo bassoon was also instructive. Experiences of composition, reflection and scholarly research underpin the portfolio and have have informed the composition of each work.

year: 2011