The Benefits of Beavers

I have had the pleasure of knowing, up-close and personal, a colony
of beavers who live in the pond next to my cabin. Some Native
Americans called beavers Little People because we have so many traits
in common.

They vocalize, they work as individuals to create complex
social and physical structures and they are the only other animal,
with the exception of humans, who will re-engineer an ecosystem to
suit their requirements. Beavers need several feet of water to
access food, housing and to provide protection. This hydrologic
transformation is achieved by damming waterways, filling flood plains
with water to create ponds. Some people consider this destructive,
however, it is as natural as rainfall, pollination and fall
migration. Take a look at the nearest housing development if you
want to see another definition of destructive.

The benefits of beavers not only include the joy of watching them;
they provide unparalleled water resource protection for very little
investment. When waters are slowed by this keystone species, it
results in less downstream flooding, reduces soil erosion and allows
sediments to settle. These ponds increase dissolved oxygen, filter
out pesticides, fertilizers and other contaminants, and act as
terrestrial kidneys, cleansing the water that will ultimately
recharge our aquifers and rivers. They also provide a lush wetland
habitat for all manner of indigenous flora and fauna.

When these incredible creatures put their ponds in the wrong place,
please remember there are ways to co-exist with beavers without
taking lethal measures. Fence exclosures can prevent culvert damming,
water flow leveling devices allow humans to maintain reasonable water
levels, and there are several effective ways to protect those special
trees. Trapping out beavers, with lethal intent or for relocation,
is not a long-term solution to a beaver problem. It is like evicting
a troublesome tenant from an apartment, you will be renting it out
again in no time.

Anyone who is interested in learning more about beavers and solutions
to beaver/human conflicts is welcome to contact me.

Sarah Summerville, Director
Unexpected Wildlife Refuge
PO Box 765 ~ Newfield, NJ 08344
http://www.animalplace.org/uwr/uwr_frame.html
qdi@snip.net

Posted on SHARE Yahoo group Dec 5, 2003