Biogeomorphology, also referred as ecogeomorphology, is the study of the relation of life forms with landforms. These interactions range from simple tracks left by an organism in the landscape to the complex relationships of the biosphere with the other spheres of the earth (lithosphere, atmosphere and hydrosphere).
One of the most interesting processes involves digging animals. The role of animals in the development of a landscape is yet poorly studied, but the shear amount of individuals of some species can have profound impact on the development of the environment and a landscape.
Mammals move earth for two main reasons - to gain food (digging up roots or other animals) or to dig a burrow as shelter. Large rodents, like the genus Marmota, are known for their burrowing habits in agricultural areas or pastures, as the entrance to or the collapse of a burrow can pose a hazard for the machinery or the livestock.
The density of marmot burrows varies with the environment, in the dry steppe of central Asia only few animals can live on a certain area, in more humid mountain areas this number can be much higher. The marmot activity can influence surface runoff and erosion of a slope and redistribute humus, moisture and mineral components in the soil profile. The research by Tadzhiyev & Odinoshoyev (1978) "Influence of marmots on soil cover of the eastern Pamirs" on the digging capacity of red marmots showed that the animals could move up to 28 cubic metre of earth per hectare in a single year. This suggests that on a local scale these animals can play a role as geomorphologic factor, giving the widespread distribution and geographic range of this genus.
One of the most interesting processes involves digging animals. The role of animals in the development of a landscape is yet poorly studied, but the shear amount of individuals of some species can have profound impact on the development of the environment and a landscape.
Mammals move earth for two main reasons - to gain food (digging up roots or other animals) or to dig a burrow as shelter. Large rodents, like the genus Marmota, are known for their burrowing habits in agricultural areas or pastures, as the entrance to or the collapse of a burrow can pose a hazard for the machinery or the livestock.
The density of marmot burrows varies with the environment, in the dry steppe of central Asia only few animals can live on a certain area, in more humid mountain areas this number can be much higher. The marmot activity can influence surface runoff and erosion of a slope and redistribute humus, moisture and mineral components in the soil profile. The research by Tadzhiyev & Odinoshoyev (1978) "Influence of marmots on soil cover of the eastern Pamirs" on the digging capacity of red marmots showed that the animals could move up to 28 cubic metre of earth per hectare in a single year. This suggests that on a local scale these animals can play a role as geomorphologic factor, giving the widespread distribution and geographic range of this genus.
As a geology major, this has totally blown my mind...I kind of want to look into biogemorphology now!
ReplyDeleteNo one has ever offered documented proof of injury to livestock from collapsed burrows of prairie dogs, marmots, etc.
ReplyDeleteIn the alpine meadows the entrance holes of the burrows are the main problem, as cows can break a leg if they accidentally stumble over, with the consequence in most cases that the animal is euthanised – collapse of burrows is indeed a more hypothetical case and anyway more probable near the entrance and for very heavy equipment. However the burrowing activity near small huts can result in subsidence of the basement, there is also the question if burrows can canalize runoff and increase erosion.
ReplyDeleteBut the fact is that little research is yet done and we don´t know – so I can only encourage interest in this direction.
In my younger days I used to run a lot. I was running across a field in Bartlesville, OK to pick up a running path along the river. I was at a full lope and stepped into what appeared to be a ground hog or some other large rodent hole that I didn't see. I went head over heels. Luckily, my shin hit the upper lip of the hole and my heel did not catch and my leg popped out without injury. I can't say the same about my pride...lol. It often haunts me how severely injured I could have been if thing had been only a bit different. I'm a geologist too, by the way.
ReplyDelete