Beavers are a keystone species, meaning they are the glue that holds an ecosystem together. Beavers live in riparian areas (rivers/streams and the surrounding wetland vegetation). Beavers are critical to the health of riparian ecosystems as they create ponded wetland habitats that many species call their home (e.g., song birds, ducks, fish, moose, deer, frogs, etc.). Some of the ecosystem benefits that beavers provide are:
- Flood mitigation: beaver dams act as speed bumps, slowing water and allowing it to filter into the groundwater
- Drought mitigation: as stated above, beaver dams slow water down which allows it to filter into the groundwater
- Enhanced water quality: as beaver wetlands are created and water filters into the groundwater, the filtration process improves water quality
- Fire risk reduction: beaver activity increases wetness and vegetation in the riparian area (area directly adjacent to streams)
- Aesthetic viewing opportunities: humans enjoy viewing wildlife, which beaver wetlands are teeming with
Despite their ecological and cultural importance, European settlers nearly exterminated the beaver in North America. During the European fur trade era (~1600-1900), beaver pelts were highly valued by Europeans for their use in making top hats, so much so, approximately 90% of the beaver population in North American was killed.
Across Alberta, like much of North America, beaver populations are increasing, but are still no where close to historical estimates. Today’s beavers face new challenges. Although not sought for their pelt, they are often killed for causing damages to property while building their dams and lodges. Beavers can cause unwanted flooding of roads and crops; damage to infrastructure incurring maintenance costs; and removal of prized trees. However, coexistence between beaver and humans can be accomplished by understanding beaver ecology and implementing effective coexistence tools such as pond levellers, culvert protectors, and tree wrapping. If we can address the modern-day coexistence challenges we face, beavers can remain on the landscape providing all of the ecosystem benefits needed for a healthy watershed.
The importance beaver is evident, but they need our help as much as we need theirs! By locating dams on satellite imagery you can help us determine where beaver are currently present (and absent) so we can select the best sites for beaver dam analogue stream restoration.
