Animals fertilizing the soil

Guano is the name given to natural mineral deposits consisting mainly of seabird, bat or even reptile excrement, which can be used as fertilizers. It is classified according to age, species that generated it, geographical origin and chemical composition, of which the main types are nitrogenous and phosphate guano, the most significant being nitrogenous guano, which has been used for 2000 years as an agri cultural fertilizer in Peru. In Europe, the application of guano as a fertilizer emerged in 1840 as the “guano boom” and lasted until the beginning of the 20th century, when guano was replaced by industrially manufactured fertilizers. Today, only a small amount is exported to Europe as an additive to organic/mineral fertilizers.