Dung Detectives: Manure Revolutionizes Global Herbivore Mapping

Scientists have unveiled a groundbreaking method to map herbivore distribution worldwide using an unlikely source: dung. This innovative approach, detailed in Nature Food, analyzes manure from 760 dryland sites across six continents to create high-resolution maps of livestock and wild herbivore presence. The study reveals disconnected grazing patterns between livestock and wild herbivores, identifying activity hotspots in Africa, Eurasia, India, Australia, and the United States. This dung-based technique promises to enhance herbivore density modeling, guide land management strategies, and improve food security efforts in dryland regions.

Source: Nature Food journal