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Population-level zoogeomorphology in the Eurasian badger
Journal
Physical
Geography, Volume 36, Number 3, 4 May 2015, pp. 215-238(24)
Authors
Coombes, Martin A.; Viles,
Heather A.
Abstract
The zoogeomorphological impact of burrowing animals
varies in time and space as a result of the particular life history traits
of the organisms involved, the patchy distribution of habitat resources,
and fluctuations in population size. Such ecological complexity presents a
major challenge for biogeomorphologists wishing to upscale from
individuals to populations. Using a unique ecological data set for
Eurasian badgers (Meles meles L.) in Wytham Woods, Oxfordshire, UK, we
show that direct zoogeomorphological impact (soil displacement during sett
excavation) is constrained by fluctuations in overall population size.
Modeled digging rates for individual badgers (0.19–4.51 m3 yr−1) varied
depending on the ecological function of the sett they are associated with,
and we estimate that the whole population has displaced 304–601 ± 72 m3 of
soil during the construction of 64 setts. This represents an overall
excavation rate of 6.7–19.4 m3 (6.0–17.5 t) yr−1 in sett areas or
1.42–4.12 g m−2 yr−1 when averaged over the whole 424 ha woodland. As well
as direct soil displacement, badger digging exposes material that is
initially susceptible to erosion by water relative to undisturbed and
litter-covered soils. Over time, setts become stabilized, representing
unique landforms that persist in the landscape for decades to centuries.
Keywords
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