The geomorphic signature of bare-nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus) and cattle (Bos taurus) in an agricultural riparian ecosystem

Geomorphology

Volumn 130, Issue 3-4, 2011, Pages 365-373

  Borchard, Philip ^a   Eldridge, David J ^b  

^a UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY   (Australia)

^b UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES   (Australia)

Author keywords

Agricultural; Burrowing; Mounds; Riparian; Tracks; Trampling

Indexed keywords

BURROWING; CATTLE; GEOMORPHOLOGY; GRAZING; LANDSCAPE CHANGE; MARSUPIAL; RIPARIAN ZONE; SANDY SOIL; SOIL EROSION; TRAMPLING;

AUSTRALIA;

BOS; BOS TAURUS; MAMMALIA; VOMBATIDAE; VOMBATUS URSINUS;

EID: 79956117601     PISSN: 0169555X     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1016/j.geomorph.2011.04.021     Document Type: Article

References (62)

1. Anderson M.C., Gorley R.N., Clarke K.R. PERMANOVA+for PRIMER: Guide to Software and Statistical Methods 2008, PRIMER-E.
2. Andrew M.H., Lange R.T. Development of a new piosphere in arid shrubland grazed by sheep. 1. Changes to the soil surface. Australian Journal of Ecology 1986, 11:395-409.
3. Bartel R.A., Haddad N.M., Wright J.P. Ecosystem engineers maintain a rare species of butterfly and increase plant diversity. Oikos 2010, 119:883-890.
4. Belsky A.J., Matzke A., Uselman S. Survey of livestock influences on stream and riparian systems in the Western United States. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 1999, 54:419-431.
5. Bennett M.B. Foot areas, ground reaction forces and pressures beneath the feet of kangaroos, wallabies and rat kangaroos (Marsupalia: Macropodoidea). Journal of Zoology 1999, 247:365-369.
6. Borchard P., Collins D. Environmental management of the common wombat Vombatus ursinus: a case study in the Shoalhaven Region, southeastern New South Wales, Australia. International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences 2001, 27:185-190.
7. Borchard P., McIlroy J.C., McArthur C. Links between riparian characteristics and the abundance of common wombat (Vombatus ursinus) burrows in an agricultural landscape. Wildlife Research 2008, 35:760-767.
8. Borchard P., Wright I.A. Using camera-trap data to model habitat use by bare-nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus) and cattle (Bos taurus) in a southeastern Australian agricultural riparian ecosystem. Australian Mammalogy 2010, 32:16-22.
9. Borchard P., Wright I.A. Bulldozers and blueberries: managing fence damage by bare-nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus) at the agricultural-riparian interface. Human Wildlife Interactions 2010, 4:33-42.
10. Borchard P., Wright I.A., Eldridge D.J. Wombats and domestic livestock as potential vectors of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in an agricultural riparian area. Australian Journal of Zoology 2010, 58:150-153.
11. Bureau of Meteorology NSW Climate Averages 2006, Australian Government, Canberra, Available at, [Verified 3 June 2006]. http://www.bom.gov.au.
12. Butler D.R. Zoogeomorphology: Animals as Geomorphic Agents 1995, Cambridge University Press, New York, 231pp.
13. Byers J.E., Cuddington K., Jones C.G., Talley T.S., Hastings A., Lambrinos J.G., Crooks J.A., Wilson W.G. Using ecosystem engineers to restore ecological systems. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 2006, 21:493-500.
14. Cox G.W., Gakahu C.G. A latitudinal test of the fossorial rodent hypothesis of Mima mound origin. Z. Geomorphology N.F 1986, 30:485-501.
15. Eldridge D.J. Mounds of the American badger (Taxidea taxus): significant features of North American shrub-steppe ecosystems. Journal of Mammalogy 2004, 85:1060-1067.
16. Eldridge D.J. Badger (Taxidea taxus) mounds affect soil hydrological properties in a degraded shrub-steppe. American Midland Naturalist 2009, 161:350-358.
17. Eldridge D.J., James A.I. Soil disturbance by native animals plays a critical role in maintaining healthy Australian landscapes. Ecological Management and Restoration 2009, 19:27-34.
18. Eldridge D.J., Whitford W.G. Badger (Taxidea taxus) disturbances increase soil heterogeneity in a degraded shrub-steppe ecosystem. Journal of Arid Environments 2009, 73:66-73.
19. Ellison W.D. Two devices for measuring soil erosion. Agricultural Engineering 1944, 25:53-55.
20. George M.R., Larsen R.E., McDougald N.K., Tate K.W., Gerlach J.D., Fulgahm K.O. Cattle grazing has varying impacts on stream channel erosion in oak woodlands. California Agriculture 2004, 58:138-143.
21. Giles J.R., Lonnon E.M. Status and Management of the Common Wombat Population in Kangaroo Valley, NSW. Report on Streambank Erosion and Wombat Population Size in Kangaroo Valley, The Zoological Parks Board of NSW Conservation Research Centre 1999, 43pp.
22. Griffith J. A History of Kangaroo Valley, 3rd ed 1986, Kangaroo Valley Historical Society, Nowra.
23. Hazelton P.A. Soil Landscapes of the Kiama 1:100,000 Sheet 1992, Department of Conservation and Land Management (Incorporating the Soil Conservation Service of NSW), 164pp.
24. Heimsath A.M., Chappell J., Dietrich W.E., Nishiizumi K., Finkel R.C. Soil production on a retreating escarpment in southeastern Australia. Geology 2000, 28:787-790.
25. Hooke J.M. An analysis of the processes of river bank erosion. Journal of Hydrology 1979, 42:39-62.
26. Imeson A.C., Kwaad F.J.P.M. Some effects of burrowing animals on slope processes in the Luxembourg Ardennes: part 2 The erosion of animal mounds by splash under forest. Geografiska Annaler 1976, 58:317-329.
27. Jansen A., Robertson A.I. Relationships between livestock management and the ecological condition of riparian habitats along an Australian floodplain river. Journal of Applied Ecology 2001, 38:63-75.
28. Jonca N. Winter denudation of mole hills in mountainous areas. Acta Theriologica 1972, 17:407-417.
29. Kauffman J.B., Krueger W.C. Livestock impacts on riparian ecosystems and streamside management implications: a review. Journal of Range Management 1984, 37:430-438.
30. Kwaad F.J.P.M. Measurements of rainsplash erosion and the formation of colluvium beneath deciduous woodland in the Luxembourg Ardennes. Earth Surface Processes 1977, 2:161-173.
31. Mapinfo Co Mapinfo Professional Version 7.0. User's Guide 2007, Mapinfo Co, Try, NY.
32. McIlroy, J.C., thesis. Aspects of the ecology of the Common Wombat, PhD., Australian National University.
33. Meentemeyer R.K., Vogler J.B., Hill C., Butler D.R. The geomorphic influences of burrowing beavers on streambanks, Bolin Creek, North Carolina. Zeitschrift fur Geomorphologie 1998, 42:453-468.
34. Minitab Inc. References Manual, Release 15 2007, Minitab Inc, State College, PA.
35. Moore J.W. Animal ecosystem engineers in streams. Bioscience 2006, 56:237-246.
36. Naiman R.J., Johnston C.A., Kelley J.C. Alteration of North American streams by beaver. Bioscience 1988, 38:753-762.
37. Naiman R.J. Animal influences on ecosystem dynamics. Bioscience 1988, 38:750-752.
38. Naiman R.J., Bechtold J.S., Beechie T.J., Latteral J.J., van Pelt R. A process-based view of floodplain forest patterns in coastal river valleys of the Pacific Northwest. Ecosystems 2010, 13:1-31.
39. Naiman R.J., Rodgers K.H. Large animals and system-level characteristics in river corridors. Bioscience 1997, 47:521-529.
40. Pietola L., Horn R., Yli-Halla M. Effects of trampling by cattle on the hydraulic and mechanical properties of soil. Soil and Tillage Research 2005, 82:99-108.
41. Poff L.N., Allan J.D., Bain M.B., Karr J.R., Prestegaard K.L., Richter B.D., Sparks R.E., Stromberg J.C. The natural flow regime. Bioscience 1997, 47:769-784.
42. Quansah C. The effect of soil type, slope, rain intensity and their interactions on splash detachment and transport. European Journal of Soil Science 1981, 32:215-224.
43. Reichman O.J., Aitchison S. Mammal trails on mountain slopes: optimal paths in relation to slope angle and body weight. The American Naturalist 1981, 117:416-420.
44. Richens V.B. Notes on the digging activity of a Northern Pocket Gopher. Journal of Mammalogy 1966, 47:531-533.
45. Rishworth C., Mc Ilroy J.C., Tanton M.T. Diet of the common wombat (Vombatus ursinus) in plantations of Pinus radiata. Wildlife Research 1995, 22:333-339.
46. Roig U.G., Loyarte M.M.G., Rossi M.I. Ecological analysis of mound formation of the mima type in Rio-Quinto, Province of Cordoba, Argentina. Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment 1988, 23:103-116.
47. Scholefield D., Hall D.M. A recording penetrometer to measure the strength of soil in relation to the stresses exerted by a walking cow. Journal of Soil Science 1986, 37:165-176.
48. Sherrod S.K., Seastedt T.R. Effects of the northern pocket gopher (Thomomys talpoides) on alpine soil characteristics, Niwot Ridge, CO. Biogeochemistry 2001, 55:195-218.
49. Skerratt L.F., Skerratt J.H.L., Banks S., Martin R., Handasyde K. Aspects of the ecology of common wombats (Vombatus ursinus) at high density on pastoral land in Victoria. Australian Journal of Zoology 2004, 52:303-330.
50. Steele V.R., Temple-Smith P.D. Physical structure of warrens of a small colony of southern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons). Wombats 1998, 113-124. Surrey-Beatty and Sons, Chipping Norton, Sydney. R.T. Wells, P.A. Pridmore (Eds.).
51. Strauch A.M., Kapust A.R., Jost C.C. Impact of livestock management on water quality and streambank structure in a semi-arid, African ecosystem. Journal of Arid Environments 2009, 73:795-803.
52. Tollner E.W., Calvert G.V., Langdale G. Animal trampling effects on soil physical properties of two Southeastern U.S. ultisols. Agriculture. Ecosystems and Environments 1990, 33:75-87.
53. Triggs B. Wombats 2009, CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood. 2nd Ed.
54. Trimble S.W. Erosional effects of cattle on streambanks in Tennessee, U.S.A. Earth Surface. Processes and Landforms 1994, 19:451-464.
55. Trimble S.W., Mendel A.C. The cow as a geomorphic agent - a critical review. Geomorphology 1995, 13:233-253.
56. van Dijk A.I.J.M., Bruijnzeel L.A., Eisma E.H. A methodology to study rain splash and wash processes under natural rainfall. Hydrological Processes 2003, 17:153-167.
57. Voslamber B., Veen A.L. Digging by rabbits on some wooded slopes in Belgium. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 1985, 10:79-82.
58. Walker J., Hopkins M.S. Vegetation. Australian Soil and Land Survey Field Handbook 1984, 263-286. Inkata Press, Melbourne. R.C. McDonald, R.F. Isbell, J.G. Speight, J. Walker, M.S. Hopkins (Eds.).
59. Whitford W.G., Kay F.R. Biopedturbation by mammals in deserts: a review. Journal of Arid Environments 1999, 41:203-230.
60. Wu J.Y., Huang D., Teng W.J., Sardo V.I. Grass hedges to reduce overland flow and soil erosion. Agronomy for Sustainable Development 2010, 30:481-485.
61. Wright J.P., Jones C.G., Flecker A.S. An ecosystem engineer, the beaver, increases species richness at the landscape scale. Oecologia 2002, 132:96-101.
62. Zimina R.P., Zlotin R.I. The Role of Marmots in Formation of the Central Asian Mountain Ecosystems 1980, Ilym Publishers, Frunze, 108pp. (in Russian).