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Roper BB. Effects of Beaver Dams on Stream and Riparian Conditions on Public Lands in the United States' Inland Northwest. WEST N AM NATURALIST 2022. [DOI: 10.3398/064.082.0402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Brett B. Roper
- National Stream and Aquatic Ecology Center, USDA Forest Service, 860 North 1200 East, Logan, UT
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2
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Grudzinski BP, Fritz K, Golden HE, Newcomer-Johnson TA, Rech JA, Levy J, Fain J, McCarty JL, Johnson B, Vang TK, Maurer K. A global review of beaver dam impacts: Stream conservation implications across biomes. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022; 37:1-15. [PMID: 36117514 PMCID: PMC9473292 DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Beaver are recolonizing previously occupied regions, expanding into new territories, and increasingly being introduced and protected for stream conservation and restoration across numerous biomes. However, beaver dam effects on the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of streams may vary within and among biomes. A comprehensive review of these impacts is lacking. The goals of this review were to: 1) summarize the distribution of studies by biome on beaver dam effects related to channel morphology, hydrology, water quality, and aquatic biota, as well as on beaver habitat selection, 2) summarize the extent to which beaver dam impacts have been consistent within and among biomes, and 3) share testable hypotheses regarding beaver impacts within understudied biomes. We quantify the directionality of beaver dam impacts from 267 peer-reviewed studies. Results show that the majority of studies have been completed within temperate forest environments and that many biomes are understudied. Across biomes, beaver preferred sites for dam development characterized by relatively low gradients and unconfined reaches with small drainage areas. Overall, parameters related to stream morphology and hydrology showed relatively consistent responses to beaver dams within and among biomes, yet water quality and biotic responses were variable among biomes. Responses also varied by parameter within water quality and biotic impact categories. The findings of this study can be useful for stream conservation and restoration efforts that introduce or protect beaver. Additional studies are needed within arid and cold biomes historically occupied by beaver and in novel biomes where beaver populations are currently expanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bartosz P. Grudzinski
- Department of Geography, Miami University, 118 B Shideler Hall, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
| | - Ken Fritz
- Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency, 26W. Martin Luther King Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA
| | - Heather E. Golden
- Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency, 26W. Martin Luther King Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA
| | - Tammy A. Newcomer-Johnson
- Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency, 26W. Martin Luther King Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA
| | - Jason A. Rech
- Department of Geology and Environmental Earth Science, Miami University, 118 B Shideler Hall, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
| | - Jonathan Levy
- Department of Geology and Environmental Earth Science, Miami University, 118 B Shideler Hall, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
- Institute for the Environment and Sustainability, Miami University, 118 B Shideler Hall, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
| | - Justin Fain
- Department of Geography, Miami University, 118 B Shideler Hall, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
| | - Jessica L. McCarty
- Department of Geography, Miami University, 118 B Shideler Hall, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
| | - Brent Johnson
- Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency, 26W. Martin Luther King Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA
| | - Teng Keng Vang
- Department of Geography, Miami University, 118 B Shideler Hall, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
| | - Karsten Maurer
- Department of Statistics, Miami University, 311 Upham Hall, Oxford, OH 45056, USA
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Scamardo JE, Marshall S, Wohl E. Estimating widespread beaver dam loss: Habitat decline and surface storage loss at a regional scale. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah Marshall
- Colorado Natural Heritage Program Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado USA
| | - Ellen Wohl
- Department of Geosciences Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado USA
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Nash CS, Grant GE, Charnley S, Dunham JB, Gosnell H, Hausner MB, Pilliod DS, Taylor JD. Great Expectations: Deconstructing the Process Pathways Underlying Beaver-Related Restoration. Bioscience 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biaa165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Beaver-related restoration is a process-based strategy that seeks to address wide-ranging ecological objectives by reestablishing dam building in degraded stream systems. Although the beaver-related restoration has broad appeal, especially in water-limited systems, its effectiveness is not yet well documented. In this article, we present a process-expectation framework that links beaver-related restoration tactics to commonly expected outcomes by identifying the set of process pathways that must occur to achieve those expected outcomes. We explore the contingency implicit within this framework using social and biophysical data from project and research sites. This analysis reveals that outcomes are often predicated on complex process pathways over which humans have limited control. Consequently, expectations often shift through the course of projects, suggesting that a more useful paradigm for evaluating process-based restoration would be to identify relevant processes and to rigorously document how projects do or do not proceed along expected process pathways using both quantitative and qualitative data.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gordon E Grant
- USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station, Corvallis, Oregon, United States
| | - Susan Charnley
- USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, Oregon, United States
| | - jason B Dunham
- US Geological Survey Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, Oregon, United States
| | - Hannah Gosnell
- College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, United States
| | - Mark B Hausner
- Desert Research Institute's Division of Hydrologic Sciences, Reno, Nevada, United States
| | - David S Pilliod
- US Geological Survey Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Boise, Idaho, United States
| | - Jimmy D Taylor
- US Geological Survey Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Boise, Idaho, United States
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Deardorff JL, Gorchov DL. Beavers cut, but do not prefer, an invasive shrub, Amur honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii). Biol Invasions 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s10530-020-02365-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Ulicsni V, Babai D, Juhász E, Molnár Z, Biró M. Local knowledge about a newly reintroduced, rapidly spreading species (Eurasian beaver) and perception of its impact on ecosystem services. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0233506. [PMID: 32437396 PMCID: PMC7241770 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Conflicts caused by reintroduced native species are increasing; however, there is a knowledge gap concerning ecological knowledge and perception of local community members regarding the impact of these species on local ecosystem services and livelihoods. We studied local knowledge about beavers and the perception of their impact on ecosystem services and local livelihoods, and the perception of their general harmfulness and usefulness in Hungary and Romania in three ecologically distinct, diverse rural landscapes. Structured interviews were carried out with 45 knowledgeable and 45 randomly selected local informants. We found that locals were knowledgeable about legal status, biology and behavior of beavers and their diverse impact on nature and ecosystem services. Perceptions included mostly negative impacts on provisioning services, while both negative and positive impacts on regulating and cultural services were perceived, including some contradictory impacts of the species. In spite of the actual and anticipated potential future harms caused by beavers, most people appreciated its precise building mastery and ‘cute’ nature. We argue that communication between nature conservationists and locals should reflect this complexity of perceptions, while reciprocal learning could help to moderate local conflicts and develop adaptive management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viktor Ulicsni
- Institute of Ecology and Botany, MTA Centre for Ecological Research, Vácrátót, Hungary
- GINOP Sustainable Ecosystems Group, MTA Centre for Ecological Research, Tihany, Hungary
- * E-mail:
| | - Dániel Babai
- Institute of Ethnology, MTA Research Centre for the Humanities, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Erika Juhász
- Department of Plant Systematics, Eötvös Loránd University, Ecology and Theoretical Biology, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Molnár
- Institute of Ecology and Botany, MTA Centre for Ecological Research, Vácrátót, Hungary
| | - Marianna Biró
- Institute of Ecology and Botany, MTA Centre for Ecological Research, Vácrátót, Hungary
- GINOP Sustainable Ecosystems Group, MTA Centre for Ecological Research, Tihany, Hungary
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Fesenmyer KA, Dauwalter DC, Evans C, Allai T. Livestock management, beaver, and climate influences on riparian vegetation in a semi-arid landscape. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0208928. [PMID: 30533026 PMCID: PMC6289506 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0208928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Riparian and aquatic habitats support biodiversity and key environmental processes in semi-arid and arid landscapes, but stressors such as conventional livestock grazing, wildfire, and drought can degrade their condition. To enhance habitat for fish and wildlife and increase resiliency in these critical areas, land managers in the interior western United States increasingly use alternative grazing strategies, beaver management, or beaver dam surrogates as low-effort, low-expense restoration approaches. In this study we used historical archives of satellite and aerial imagery spanning three decades to characterize riparian vegetation productivity and document beaver dam occurrences, then evaluated vegetation productivity relative to land management associated with livestock grazing and beaver dam densities while accounting for climate and wildfire. After controlling for stream characteristics such as stream size, elevation, and stream slope, we demonstrate a positive response of riparian area vegetation to conservation-oriented grazing approaches and livestock exclosures, extensive beaver dam development, increased precipitation, and lack of wildfire. We show that livestock management which emphasizes riparian recovery objectives can be an important precursor to beaver activity and describe 11-39% increases in floodplain vegetation productivity where conservation-oriented grazing approaches or livestock exclosures and high beaver activity occur together on low-gradient sites. Land management decisions can therefore potentially confer resiliency to riparian areas under changing and variable climate conditions-the increased vegetation productivity resulting from conservation-oriented grazing or exclosures and high amounts of beaver activity at our sites is the equivalent to moving conventionally-grazed, low-gradient sites without beaver up at least 250 m in elevation or increasing water year precipitation by at least 250 mm.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Carol Evans
- US Bureau of Land Management, Elko, Nevada, United States of America
| | - Todd Allai
- US Bureau of Land Management, Vale, Oregon, United States of America
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Law A, Gaywood MJ, Jones KC, Ramsay P, Willby NJ. Using ecosystem engineers as tools in habitat restoration and rewilding: beaver and wetlands. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 605-606:1021-1030. [PMID: 28693107 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.06.173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Revised: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 06/21/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Potential for habitat restoration is increasingly used as an argument for reintroducing ecosystem engineers. Beaver have well known effects on hydromorphology through dam construction, but their scope to restore wetland biodiversity in areas degraded by agriculture is largely inferred. Our study presents the first formal monitoring of a planned beaver-assisted restoration, focussing on changes in vegetation over 12years within an agriculturally-degraded fen following beaver release, based on repeated sampling of fixed plots. Effects are compared to ungrazed exclosures which allowed the wider influence of waterlogging to be separated from disturbance through tree felling and herbivory. After 12years of beaver presence mean plant species richness had increased on average by 46% per plot, whilst the cumulative number of species recorded increased on average by 148%. Heterogeneity, measured by dissimilarity of plot composition, increased on average by 71%. Plants associated with high moisture and light conditions increased significantly in coverage, whereas species indicative of high nitrogen decreased. Areas exposed to both grazing and waterlogging generally showed the most pronounced change in composition, with effects of grazing seemingly additive, but secondary, to those of waterlogging. Our study illustrates that a well-known ecosystem engineer, the beaver, can with time transform agricultural land into a comparatively species-rich and heterogeneous wetland environment, thus meeting common restoration objectives. This offers a passive but innovative solution to the problems of wetland habitat loss that complements the value of beavers for water or sediment storage and flow attenuation. The role of larger herbivores has been significantly overlooked in our understanding of freshwater ecosystem function; the use of such species may yet emerge as the missing ingredient in successful restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Law
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, Scotland, UK.
| | - Martin J Gaywood
- Scottish Natural Heritage, Great Glen House, Inverness IV3 9NW, Scotland, UK.
| | - Kevin C Jones
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, Scotland, UK.
| | | | - Nigel J Willby
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, Scotland, UK.
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Barela IA, Frey JK. Habitat and forage selection by the American beaver (Castor canadensis) on a regulated river in the Chihuahuan Desert. SOUTHWEST NAT 2016. [DOI: 10.1894/0038-4909-61.4.286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Isidro A. Barela
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Ecology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001
| | - Jennifer K. Frey
- Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Ecology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001
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