Wildfires can devastate huge areas of forest. But wooded areas can and do recover . . . thanks in large part to beetle dung, otherwise known as frass.
Scientists have known for some time that the dropping of deadwood beetles–so called because they live and in and around burnt, dead trees–may play a role in helping forests recover after fires.
Now, a graduate student at the University of Alberta, in Canada, has figured out how. He collected small amounts of deadwood beetle poop found in at the base of dead trees and analyzed its components. Turns out the dung is composed mainly of fecal pellets and chewed wood shaving–a potent mix perfect for pumping nutrients back into soil after a fire and increasing microbial activity.
One problem, though, is that after a forest fire, salvage logging can destroy the beetle population before its had a chance to work its magic. Deadwood beetles lay eggs in burnt out trees and so removing those trees after a fire makes it more difficult for trees to eventually grow back in burnt areas.
Scientists recommend that at least some burnt trees should be left two years after a fire to allow deadwood beetles and their dropping to do their replenishing work.
Source: Science Daily
It is truly amazing how nature finds a way for two differing organisms to have a symbiotic relationship.