Biogeomorphology

Biogeomorphology is the interdisciplinary study of how living organisms interact with geomorphic processes to shape landforms and landscapes. It examines both how biology alters physical landscapes and how physical processes constrain biological communities. The field draws on geomorphology, ecology, soil science, hydrology, and climate science.

Organisms influence geomorphology through root reinforcement and stabilization of soils, biogenic crusts, burrowing and bioturbation, and the construction of structures such as beaver dams, coral reefs, and kelp forests that modify flow, sediment transport, and coastal topography. Microbial activity can accelerate rock weathering and soil formation, while vegetation can steer erosion, deposition, and sediment routing. Conversely, geomorphic processes such as flow, waves, sediment transport, landslides, and periglacial movements shape habitat availability, nutrient regimes, and disturbance patterns.

Key concepts include biogeomorphic feedbacks, where living and physical components reinforce or oppose each other; ecological engineering by organisms; and thresholds and resilience in landscapes. Methodologies combine field measurements, experiments, remote sensing, soil and sediment analyses, isotopic tracers, and coupled biophysical models. Applications span landscape restoration, river and coastal management, habitat rehabilitation, and climate adaptation. The approach supports understanding of sediment budgets, erosion control, shore protection, and the design of nature-based infrastructure. Challenges include scaling from organism-level processes to landscapes, data integration across disciplines, and accounting for temporal variability in drivers such as climate and land use.