Zoogeomorphology in the Alpine: some observations on abiotic–biotic interactions

Abstract

Cryonival processes typify the alpine environment. These cold-based processes operate synergistically with wind, rainsplash, surface wash, and mass movement to create the local morphology. These traditionally accepted abiotic processes are rarely, if ever, identified as operating in conjunction with biotic processes. Paradoxically, the existence and activity of animals within the alpine zone is widely reported. Here the argument will be made for the interoperation of the biotic with the abiotic in the development of the alpine terrain. Animals frequently exert a strong geomorphic influence in alpine environments through such activities as grazing, trampling, digging, burrowing, and direct erosion of even bedrock. The impact of the animals, in a geomorphic context, can be both direct and indirect. Direct effects are soil compaction, removal of sediments, loading causing slope failure, and the introduction or removal of chemicals (nutrients). As significant as these impacts can be, so too are the indirect effects: preparation of sediments for removal by abiotic processes, decreasing of slope stability by burrowing, increasing surface wash and/or concentration of overland flow as a result of compaction, pedoturbation, and changing of soil-water chemistry because of facilitating water penetration as a result of burrowing. The abiotic and biotic impacts occur both in parallel (i.e., at the same time) and/or in series (i.e., one subsequent to another), frequently as a function of seasonal climatic influences on both forces. Climate exerts a significant impact on both biotic and abiotic processes, and aspect can greatly influence these. Solar radiation, ground temperature, wind, and precipitation affect biotic and abiotic attributes and their interaction. Slope angle and parent material(s) will also affect the degree of influence. Biotic–abiotic interactions are complex outcomes of parent material, aspect, slope, and season, and all of the factors that these influence (i.e., vegetation). Here a series of flow diagrams are used to identify both abiotic and biotic elements and to show the manner in which they interoperate to create the local alpine terrain. Examples from a variety of alpine locations (Canada and China) will be used to exemplify geomorphic outcomes.