Data from: Interactions between C:N:P stoichiometry and soil macrofauna control dung decomposition of savanna herbivores

1. Although dung of mammalian herbivores is an important pathway for
nutrient return in savanna ecosystems, differences in dung decomposition
rates among species have been little studied. 2. We measured rates of dung
deposition and decomposition for various herbivores in a moist Tanzanian
savanna, and related differences among species to nutrient concentrations
and the activities of soil macrofauna (e.g., different mesh sizes of
decomposition bags, or presence and absence of dung beetles). 3. Dung
C:N:P stoichiometry varied widely among species, which could in part be
explained by differences in feeding strategy (browsers vs. grazers) and
digestive physiology (ruminants vs. non-ruminants). Rates of both
decomposition and nutrient release were influenced by the C:N:P
stoichiometry of dung, with lower relative losses of the least abundant
nutrient. Surprisingly, soil macrofauna increased relative losses of the
least abundant nutrient, thereby stabilizing the ratio of N loss to P
loss. Dung beetles increased rates of N and P release from wildebeest dung
significantly and also increased N availability in the soil. 4. We
conclude that rates of nutrient return in dung depend not only on where
herbivores deposit their dung, but also on its C:N:P stoichiometry, the
activity of soil macrofauna, and interactions between these factors. These
factors may therefore influence the relative availabilities of N and P in
the soil and hence the functioning of savanna ecosystems.