This article out of Idaho comes pretty darn close to touting beaver benefits while still ruefully bemoaning their pernicious qualities. Apparently the entire USFS of Idaho hasn’t yet learned that a flow device can prevent flooding or wrapping and sand painting can protect trees. Never mind. They’ll get there. They apparently got the memo that the beaver is a keystone species, and that’s definitely a start.
Beavers are a keystone species, meaning that other species rely on them for habitat. Garwood said that when beavers build dams and create ponds, they create habitat for other species. “Often these ponds will raise the water table,” Garwood said, creating wetlands that provide living space and food sources for hummingbirds, yellow warblers and mallards.
Nice work. I’m going to guess your borders with Washington and Oregon have been seeping in beaver intelligence. Keep it up. This piece by Katherine Wutz is an excellent beaver article. I’d like there to be a discussion of tools home owners can use to manage conflicts, but I’m thrilled this is an introductory course on why they should bother. Go read the whole thing and enjoy.
- Beavers, the obsessive-compulsive builders of the animal world, cause headaches for homeowners but are a boon to species that depend on beaver ponds for habitat. Metro Creative photo
