Short-term effects of environmental restoration on the diversity and abundance of dung beetles in four lowland ecosystems in Burkina Faso

Abstract

Many human activities affect dung beetles (Scarabaeidae) diversity and may threaten environmental
health. Scarabaeidae are involved in nutrient recycling and secondary seed dispersal. The present study
was conducted over 3 years to assess changes in the diversity and abundance of Scarabaeidae following
restoration activities in four lowland ecosystems that had experienced high levels of human pressure in
Burkina Faso. Four micro-catchments were identified in the provinces of Soum, Sanmatenga, Kouritenga
and Kompienga, using a hydrographic map of Burkina Faso. The diversity and abundance of
Scarabaeidae collected in baited pitfall traps were compared using the first year as a reference sampling
year followed by restoration activities (abandonment of agriculture, reforestation, scarification,
delimitation of a herd movement belt). Our collections documented twenty-nine species, sixteen of which
were recorded for the first time in Burkina Faso. The calculated diversity indices did not vary
significantly during the 3 years of the study, despite the restoration activities carried out.