The bioturbation of Olympic marmots ( Marmota olympus ) and their impacts on soil properties

Olympic marmots significantly alter soil properties through bioturbation, with abandoned burrows showing reduced compaction and organic matter compared to undisturbed sites. Surface temperatures were warmer on marmot-disturbed soils, while subsurface temperatures were cooler. Surprisingly, other soil characteristics like moisture, texture, pH, salinity, and macronutrients remained similar between disturbed and undisturbed areas. The study suggests that marmots influence both physical and chemical soil properties, though further research is needed to determine the duration and extent of these impacts.

Whitesides, C. J. (2015). The bioturbation of Olympic marmots ( Marmota olympus ) and their impacts on soil properties. Physical Geography, 36(3), 202–214. https://doi.org/10.1080/02723646.2015.1035625