Effects of Black-tailed Prairie Dogs (Cynomys Iudovicianus) on Soil Erosion

<p>The rates of natural erosion are poorly understood, especially with respect to influences by fauna. Soil traps were implemented in a prairie dog town 14 miles NW of Killdeer, ND to measure and compare erosion rates within the prairie dog town to those of a control site comprised of natural prairie grasses and void of prairie dogs. Results from 81 days (May 31st-September 20th) include a total of 27,492.6 grams collected among three boxes dispersed throughout one alluvial plume downhill of an active prairie dog hole and 49 grams collected among two boxes placed outside the prairie dog town in the designated control site. The study shows that erosion rates are much higher within the prairie dog colony compared to a similar area absent of any prairie dog influences. </p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Bachelor of Science (BS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Geology

Year

2009

Author dc:creator

• Jahraus, Tim

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.und.edu/senior-projects/100

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.und.edu:senior-projects-1099