The effects of a beaver dam on the transport of organic carbon in a stream.

Abstract

Beaver (Castor canadensis) alter the structure and geomorphology of stream ecosystems. In this study, the effects of a beaver dam on the concentrations and transport of four size classes of organic carbon in the stream was determined. The dam was then removed and measurements were taken 48 hrs. afterwards for comparison with before dam data. Beaver dams were found to act as carbon reservoirs, retaining large particles or organic matter in the beaver pond. Very fine organic carbon was shown to be relatively unaffected by the dam. This suggests that beaver dams act as natural organic debris dams, retaining large organic carbon in the headwaters of the stream and increasing the efficiency of carbon processing in the headwaters of the stream.