Rôle des marmottes dans les transformations du paysage du Pléistocène à l'actuel. The role of Marmots in landscape transformations since Pleistocene till present times.

Résumé

In all parts of its area Marmota form specific zoogenic landscapes that remain stable throughout hundreds and thousands of years. Pleistocene Marmot fossils are widespread in the south of Eurasia. In late Pleistocene marmots were more common than now. Abundant Marmot remains and evidence of burrowing activities have been preserved in Periglacial zone. In ancient settlement areas and zones densely populated by Marmots a specific landscape is created whose morphologic forms, microclimate, soils and vegetative communities are determined by Marmot burrowing activities. These activities are very intense. Different types of Marmot activities lead to formation of hills (butans), specific digged-up Marmot soils. This results in diverse and complex plant associations that differ from native ones.