Poo Pile on the Prairie

A bison’s dung pile on a North American prairie becomes the center of a small, changing habitat. Its nutrients enrich the soil, and it helps disperse seeds. Insects and other grassland creatures feed and shelter there; birds and small mammals feed on those species, continuing the wider cycle. Across the seasons, prairie violets bloom and animals such as earthworms and prairie dogs use the nutrient-rich ground. The book includes further information about bison dung and sources.