CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Driscoll, K.; Hall, K.; and Boelhouwers, J.
Date : 1999.
Title : Animals as erosion agents in the alpine zone: some observations from the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
Publication : Program and Abstracts. 42nd Annual Meeting of the Western Division of the Canadian Association of Geographers, Okanagan University College, Kelowna, British Columbia, March 11 to 13, 1999
Issue :
Page(s) :
Abstract
Animals can exert a very strong impact on erosion and sediment transport in the alpine zone. Although this zone is recognized for its abundance of animals, little has been done regarding the role of those animals in landscape evolution and sediment development. Animals not only exert a direct influence through their burrowing and digging for food, but indirectly by opening the ground to climatic and geomorphic influences. As the alpine zone is subject to freezing, frost action and snow melt, so exposed sediments and/or the availability of drainage through burrows can have a marked effect on sediment transport and slopes. Our study focused on the effects of grizzlies, marmots, ground squirrels, moles and voles. Fourteen 5X5 m quadrats were examined in an alpine zone of the Rocky Mountains 150 km east of Prince George, BC. Four grizzly excavations also were examined. We found that grizzlies had the greatest average erosional impact moving of 0.00178 m3 of material, covering an area of 213 cm2 to a depth of 9.25 cm. Rodent diggings accounted for 0.3395 m3 of sediment moved, though variation between quadrats was high. Materials displaced from the rodent burrows tended to be reincorporated into the soil matrix downslope of the entrances. Conservatively, we estimate that sediment removal by rodents in this area is 200 m3/km2/yr. These preliminary findings are presented in an attempt to exemplify the various and interrelated effects of animals, climate and geomorphic process for the alpine zone.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology