Zoogeomorphology Animals as Geomorphic Agents [Paperback]

This book examines the role of animals as geomorphic agents of landscape erosion, deposition and change.Animals as geomorphic agents have primarily been considered "curiosities" in the literature of geomorphology. This book re-examines the distinct geomorphic influences of invertebrates and vertebrates, and demonstrates the importance of animals as landscape sculptors. Specific processes associated with the diversity of animal influences in geomorphology, such as burrowing and denning, nesting, lithophagy and geophagy, wallowing and trampling, are examined. Particular emphasis is placed on terrestrial animals, although aquatic animals are also discussed where appropriate.Animals as geomorphic agents have primarily been considered "curiosities" in the literature of geomorphology. This book re-examines the distinct geomorphic influences of invertebrates and vertebrates, and demonstrates the importance of animals as landscape sculptors. Specific processes associated with the diversity of animal influences in geomorphology, such as burrowing and denning, nesting, lithophagy and geophagy, wallowing and trampling, are examined. Particular emphasis is placed on terrestrial animals, although aquatic animals are also discussed where appropriate.Zoogeomorphology is the first and only book of its kind to examine the role animals play in sculpting the Earth's surface, thus integrating the ideas and literature from the fields of geomorphology and wildlife ecology. Dr. Butler describes how animals of all kinds--from small insects to large mammals such as elephants--can act as agents of erosion, transportation, and deposition of sediment. He discusses specific processes associated with the diversity of animal influences in geomorphology: burrowing and denning, nesting, lithophagy and geophagy, wallowing and trampling, food caching, excavating for food, and dam building by beavers.Acknowledgements; 1. Introduction; 2. The geomorphic influences of invlC4