Beavers may help combat effects of climate change

[Kaleva]

Read an article where it was discussed that transplanting beavers in regions they once habitated may have a beneficial effect on reducing the effects of drought.

"Climate models predict the incidence of drought in parts of North America will increase in frequency and length over the next 100 years, and beaver will likely play an important role in maintaining open water and mitigating the impact, Hood said. The infilling and drainage of wetlands has increased to make way for urban and industrial expansion, and beaver colonies are being removed both inside and outside of protected areas, which means a continued loss of water resources, Hood noted."

"The role of beaver in sustaining open water is critical for several reasons. Flooding caused by beaver dams provides habitat and water resources used by land animals and amphibians, and even provides water for livestock. It can also recharge groundwater reserves."

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080220130511.htm


The Lands Council-The Beaver Solution

http://www.landscouncil.org/beaversolution/recently_added_documents.asp

[Sanity Claws]

1. Please send this to Stephanie Miller

She and her gang love beaver stories.

[Kaleva]

2. This might not be the kind of beaver story she loves.

[Sanity Claws]

4. I'm sure they'll find a way

to make this story funny, regardless of what kind of beaver is involved.
Snicker, snicker.

[madmax]

3. A serious issue

so I'm not even going there... :evilgrin:

[glinda]

5. I hated when the local DNR up north shot them. They are truly under-rated creatures.

[havocmom]

6. It is amazing how small changes can have big effects

Water, trees, evaporation, more clouds, more rain.... cycles

I think our linear focused society/economy has made us lose sight of how cycles work, so we miss a lot of simple ways to have big positive impact.

Want to end constant drought cycles, trees and ponds can do wonders. Beavers are great land stewards.

[Kaleva]

11. The beaver reintroduction programs don't cost much either.

Once established, the beavers work for free.

[nilram]

7. this is great. they've got nothing else to do

but help protect the environment!

[One_Life_To_Give]

8. Unless you live or work near a place that was wetlands 100+yrs ago

As with all things there is a down side. Unsuspecting home and property owners who never dreamed their places were built in a flood prone area may find their garden under water and their house occasionally requires a boat to access.

[Nihil]

9. View it as a hint from Darwin ...

... not fatal (so not worthy of any awards) but just a reminder
that stupidity is not a desirable trait to nurture ...
:shrug:

[XemaSab]

10. Beavers chew down all the trees

There were beavers outside my old office, and there was chicken wire around all the trees so the beavers didn't nom them.

[AtheistCrusader]

12. Beavers certainly alter water tables.

Re-introducing wolves to Yellowstone forced the Elk herds to migrate normally, allowing saplings to grow without being destroyed by the elk, which brought back the beavers, who have raised the water table of the Yellowstone area.

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/Howling-Success.html