At first glance, or first-hand experience, the beaver is often considered a pest species as it gnaws down trees and floods properties. However, when this is the case, the big picture is being overlooked. Beavers are an extremely important tool for restoring wildlife habitats and increasing bird populations.
Masterful Engineers
Beaver dam building has been formally recognized as incredible engineering. The 50lb. rodent uses sticks, rocks, mud, and debris to construct a barrier at a narrow place in a freshwater stream. They watch for escaping water, and continue to build until the dam can hold back enough water to create a small pond. Dams have been found up to 10' tall.
The beaver makes the structure bigger and stronger by working more sticks, and debris into the dam. He brings the mud from the bottom to use as plaster, which makes the pond even deeper, and wider. The next job is the construction of a home for the beaver’s family, or ‘lodge’.
They build their lodge near the deep part of the water (where they will store food for the winter) either on shore, or in shallow water. If they choose the shallow water, a foundation will have to be built. Mud is used as plaster for ‘bedroom walls’ inside the lodge. There are several doorways installed for access to the pond and to escape predators. These impressive lodges are known to be as much as 7’ high and 30’ across.
The Creation of a New Habitat
Beavers are extremely important to wildlife as they:
- Revive the natural function of streams.
- Repair degraded streams.
- Recharge local water tables.
- Create wetlands for other species such as bird and plant species.
When dams create flooding, it also creates wetlands that provide homes for many other animal, and plant species by producing more fertile land. Later, the pond dries up and begins to become marshland providing a brand-new habitat for wildlife. Eventually, it transforms into a meadow and with these changes comes other diverse animal and plant species.
Beavers are also important for restoring habitat, especially for the decreasing population of songbirds. A study that appears in the October issue of the Western North American Naturalist, found that the more dams beavers built, the more abundant local songbirds become.
More than ever, beavers are becoming recognized for their value to wildlife. Environmentalists, as well as researchers, continue to find a delicate balance to protect beavers and yet, protect farmlands and roads from damage due to the damming and cutting that beavers practice.
Related Reading
Interested in learning more about beavers? Check out Beaver Facts.
Current information regarding beavers and their welfare can be found at Martinez Beavers.
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