Impacts of Castor canadensis dams on water quality, stream morphology, and tree species with management implications.

Abstract

Another, and more familiar, species can cause even greater ecological damages. These damages can persist for centuries even after the species has vacated the community. The American beaver, Castor canadensis, causes these damages. Its feeding strategies and physical alterations to the environment greatly affect the plant and animal community compositions. These affects in turn alter biochemical cycling of nutrients, soil composition, sediment loading, and water characteristics. The purpose of this project is to quantify and study the impact of beaver dams and ponds on the morphology and hydrology of stream systems. Specific impacts on water quality, river morphology, and plant communities are evaluated. In addition, findings will be compared to data collected from the same sites two years ago, 1989. Any changes in beaver dams since then will be evaluated and discussed.