Beavers are one of nature's busiest engineers. They are a keystone species, which means that they have a significant impact on the ecosystem relative to their population. Their work offers a cascade of positive benefits for water quality and the environment.
Beavers create and maintain wetlands, which help to filter water and recharge aquifers, restore eroded streambanks, and boost biodiversity. Their dams improve water quality by trapping and filtering out sediment and pollutants like phosphorous and nitrogen. Additionally, beavers expand water storage by slowing down water and increasing infiltration of that water into soil. This can restore the natural hydrology to areas that have lost it.
Scientists understand that these furry allies can support climate resilience efforts and are using beavers’ environment-altering powers to help restore ecosystems, reduce the strains of drought, and even create firebreaks in regions affected by wildfire. Beavers build critical wetland habitat that supports a host of fish, amphibian, mammal, and insect species. Despite wetlands only accounting for six to nine percent of land cover, they sequester more carbon than forests and support half of North America's threatened or endangered species. Wetlands are essential components to environmental, animal, and human health.
Living with beavers
Occasionally, beavers' industrious instincts can result in downed trees, clogged culverts, and flooding near human development. Trapping is often used to reduce damage; however, beavers are known to repopulate areas where previous colonies have been trapped out, leading to reoccurring and costly removal. Fortunately, there are non-lethal, effective, and low-cost solutions to intercept beaver mischief. Flow devices that maintain pond levels, wraps that protect trees from chewing, and other creative strategies can promote co-existence.
Got a problem beaver? Beaver Innovations, a new business supported by the University of Minnesota, offers non-lethal beaver solutions to residents in Minnesota. Contact [email protected] to learn more about their services. Additional assistance is available through the Beaver Institute’s help desk at [email protected].
Interested in cost-share opportunities? The Beaver Institute offers cost-share programs to residents and organizations seeking to resolve conflicts with beavers using non-lethal interventions. See if you qualify at beaverinstitute.org/get-beaver-help/landowner-assistant-grants.
Appreciate their work
Visit a local wetland, lake, or stream where beavers are present. Look for lodges and dams with chewed sticks and fresh mud for indications that beavers are active. Notice how many different bird, plant, and animal species you see. Compare what you see to a water body where there are no beavers present. There is a significant difference in the amount and variety of species present on water bodies with active beaver colonies compared to those without beavers. By learning to coexist with beavers, we can harness their ability to build critical habitat, protect biodiversity, and improve water quality.