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The role of biota in the initiation and growth of islands on the floodplain of the Okavango alluvial fan, Botswana

Auteurs :
MCCARTHY, T.S.
ELLERY, W.N.
DANGERFIELD, J.M.

Description :
A group of islands of varying size on the floodplain of the Okavango alluvial fan, were studied to establish the processes which lead to the initiation and growth of islands. It was found that islands are initiated by the mound-building activities of the termite Macrotermes michaelseni. Shrubs and trees are able to colonize these mounds, which results in increased transpiration. As a result, precipitation of calcite and silica from the shallow ground water occurs preferentially beneath the mounds, resulting in vertical and especially lateral growth, causing island expansion.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Earth surface processes and landforms, issn : 0197-9337, 1998, vol. 23, n°. 4, p. 291-316, Collation : Illustration, Références bibliographiques : 36 ref.

Date :
1998

Editeur :
Pays édition : Royaume-Uni, Chichester, Wiley

Langue :
Anglais
Droits :
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