Present-Day Solifluction Processes in the Semi-Arid Range of Sierra Nevada (Spain)

• Published in: Arctic, antarctic, and alpine research Vol. 46; no. 2; pp. 365 - 370
• Main Authors: Oliva, Marc, Ortiz, Antonio Gómez, Franch, Ferran Salvador, Catarineu, Montserrat Salvà
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boulder, CO Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR), University of Colorado 01-05-2014; Taylor & Francis; Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research; University of Colorado, Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Synecology; United States; Europe; America; Southern Europe; California; North America; Spain; PN, Arctic; Semi arid zone
• ISSN: 1523-0430; 1938-4246
• DOI: 10.1657/1938-4246-46.2.365

In the highest land of the Sierra Nevada National Park, an experiment to monitor solifluction rates together with the thermal regime of the ground was implemented during the period 2005–2011. Data show evidence of the low activity of solifluction processes in the present-day periglacial belt of Sierra Nevada. Annual displacement rates were lower than 1 cm yr-1 both in northern and southern slopes. Solifluction was more active near snow patches and streams. Rates were also higher during snowier years. Soil temperatures showed seasonal frost occurrence, though the depth and duration of the frozen layer is strongly conditioned by the annual snow cover. Water availability appears to be a crucial factor for solifluction processes in this semiarid environment.