THE DURATION AND EXTENT OF ZOOGEOMORPHOLOGY IN ALPINE ENVIRONMENTS

Despite considerable advances in zoogeomorphology over the past 25 years, the geomorphic effects of many organisms are under-documented or unknown. This is problematic when considering the effects of zoogeomorphology on ecological patterns and processes, including duration, depth, and extent of effect on the landscape. Better understanding of these zoogeomorphological activities and their effects on ecosystems is important when considering using this information as proxy for ecosystem or biodiversity reconstruction.

We analyzed the published literature on zoogeomorphology in alpine environments in search of quantitative data regarding the duration and extent of zoogeomorphic effects on the landscape. Our findings revealed the duration (permanence on the landscape) of surficial zoogeomorphic features is unknown for most species, Olympic marmot burrows persist on the landscape for approximately 8-10 years after site abandonment or local extinction. Other zoogeomorphic features are highly ephemeral; for example, gopher "eskers" deposited in snow tunnels and subsequently lowered onto the ground surface by snow melt and ablation typically last only one summer season before the esker sediment is dispersed across the surface and the micro-landform disappears. Findings from the published literature also revealed that although the extent (surface area covered by zoogeomorphic activity) is regularly noted in the literature, scant information exists as to the effects on soil, hydrology, etc. beyond the visual extent of the disturbance. Without additional knowledge of the duration and extent of these features on the landscape, connection to ecological pattern and process, as well as overall biodiversity, becomes less clear, which may complicate using zoogeomorphic features and surrounding vegetation for climate, ecosystem, and biodiversity reconstruction.