Consider the Beaver

In the early days of European settlement across Canada, no single factor had as great an influence as the beaver. For centuries, beaver pelts drove the exploration, settlement, wars and politics of the land. The beaver was valued for its fur, yet reviled as a pest because its natural habits caused flooding, road washouts and loss of valuable trees.

In recent years trapping has diminished, so beaver populations are resurging. Many parts of Canada have adopted beaver-suppression programs to address the problems caused by the growing beaver population. Yet new voices are rising in defence of this oft-maligned rodent, pointing to the beaver’s valuable role in creating sustainable environments.

Furry Hydro-Engineers

Beavers are second only to humans in their ability to permanently alter the environment to meet their needs. Beavers modify landscapes, bringing water back to previously dry areas. These furry hydro-engineers start in a small stream with vertically placed sticks, then weave branches through the sticks and pack them with mud or other debris. They position larger logs parallel to the water flow, fix them in place with more mud and debris, then continue the process to expand the structure’s width and height.  Without the aid of mathematics, they may instinctively arc a widening dam to absorb increased water pressure as their work causes the water to deepen.

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