Slope denudation activated by small rodents in the Crimea

Abstract

A process is considered of slope denudation in the mountain and plains of the Crimea, which is due to voles' activities. The rate of the zoogenic denudation (averaged over many years) was calculated taking into account changes in the animal’s abundance and amounted to 0.05-0.01 mm per year. The burrowing activities of small rodents are one of the leading factors of erosion on vegetated slopes.