Soil removed by voles of the genus Pitymys in the Spanish Pyrenees

Authors

  • C. E. Borghi Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología. CSIC
  • S. M. Giannoni Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología. CSIC
  • J. P. Martínez-Rica Instituto Pirenaico de Ecología. CSIC

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3989/pirineos.1990.v136.200

Keywords:

Fossorial rodents, Bioturbation, Pyrenees, Erosion, Transport rate

Abstract


The erosiogenic activity of Pyrenean mountain voles is studied following the measures taken in an experimental plot in the Western Pyrenees. An easy model for estimating the volume and weight of soil carried to the surface by voles is presented and used to quantify this amount in natural conditions. Fossorial Pyrenean rodents seem to dislodge well over 6Tm/ha.yr of soil on the colonized areas above the timberline. The four stages (new, recent, old, and vegetated) of the evolution of soil heaps are discussed. Finally, an attempt is made to evaluate the rate of horizontal sediment transport due to the direct action of voles, with a maximum result of 17 cm3/cm.yr, quite comparable to pure geoclimatic rates.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Downloads

Published

1990-12-30

How to Cite

Borghi, C. E., Giannoni, S. M., & Martínez-Rica, J. P. (1990). Soil removed by voles of the genus Pitymys in the Spanish Pyrenees. Pirineos, 136, 3–18. https://doi.org/10.3989/pirineos.1990.v136.200

Issue

Section

Articles