The Influence of The Burrowing Mammal Tamias Striatus on The Soil Creep Process

The eastern chipmunk, Tamias striatus, was used as a representative burrowing animal to investigate the effect which organisms have on geomorphic slope processes in east central Illinois, U.S.A. Soil creep measurements were made on both a short-term (biweekly) and a long-term (one year) basis, using t-bars and Young pits respectively. Surface sediment transport was monitored with the use of sediment traps. Data on soil moisture, soil temperature, and precipitation were also collected. Mean soil creep rates for the 0.0 to 10.0 centimeter depth interval were calculated at 0.0 mm/yr (+OR-) 0.00 for the 0-5 and 10-15 degree slopes, 0.23 mm/yr (+OR-) 0.17 for 20-25 degree slopes, and 0.75 mm/yr (+OR-) 0.00 for 30-35 degree slopes. Creep rates for individual depth increments of 0.0, 5.0, and 10.0 centimeters were also calculated for the individual slope catagories. T. striatus was not found to have a statistically significant effect on soil creep rates over the one year study period. Downslope displacement of surface sediment was found to be intensified on 10-15 and 20-25 degree slopes when T. striatus was present. Slope angle, vegetation, precipitation, and soil character were found to have an effect on the amount of displaced sediment. A lack of defined freeze-thaw cycles and a long dry period precluded the drawing of significant conclusions concerning their relative importance to the soil creep process in the research area.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Geography

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2014

Author dc:creator

• Kosobud, Ann Maxine

• Physical Geography

Identifier

(UMI)AAI8511629

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/70646