Zoogeomorphology

This book examines the role of animals as geomorphic agents of landscape erosion, deposition, and change. It integrates the diverse literature of physical geography, geology, ecology, and wildlife management to illustrate the geographically ubiquitous nature and quantitative significance of the geomorphic effects of animals.

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Animals as geomorphic agents have primarily been considered curiosities in the literature of geomorphology, whose spatial and quantitative influences have been seen as both limited and minor. Zoogeomorphology: Animals as Geomorphic Agents, which is wholly devoted to this topic, examines the distinct geomorphic influences of invertebrates, ectothermic vertebrates, birds and mammals, and demonstrates the importance of animals as landscape sculptors. Specific processes associated with the diversity of animal influences in geomorphology are examined, including burrowing and denning, nesting, lithophagy and geophagy, wallowing and trampling, food caching, excavating for food, and dam building by beavers. Particular emphasis is placed on terrestrial animals, although aquatic animals are also discussed where appropriate.