ฉันรักBeaver are a keystone species helping support the ecosystem of which they are a part. They create wetlands, which increase biodiversity and provide habitat for many rare species such as water voles, otters and water shrews. They coppice waterside trees and shrubs so that they re-grow as dense shrubs which provide cover for birds and other animals. Beaver dams trap sediment and improve water quality; recharge groundwater tables and increase cover and forage for trout and salmon.[61] A recent study in Poland found that beavers increased the abundance and diversity of bats, apparently because they create gaps in forest cover making it easier for bats to navigate in.[62]
Effects on fish Edit
Beaver ponds have been shown to have a beneficial effect on trout and salmon populations, in fact many authors believe that the decline of salmonid fishes is related to the decline in beaver populations. A study of small streams in Sweden found that brown trout in beaver ponds were larger than those in riffle sections, and that beaver ponds provide habitat for larger trout in small streams during periods of drought.[63] These findings are similar to several studies of beaver effects on fish in North America. Brook trout, coho and sockeye salmon were significantly larger in beaver ponds than those in un-impounded stream sections in Colorado and Alaska.[64][65] In addition, research in the Stillaguamish River basin in Washington state, found that extensive loss of beaver ponds resulted in an 89% reduction in coho salmon smolt summer production and an almost equally detrimental 86% reduction in critical winter habitat carrying capacity.[66] Migration of adult Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) may be limited by beaver dams during periods of low stream flows, but the presence of juveniles upstream from the dams suggests that the dams are penetrated by parr.[67] Downstream migration of Atlantic salmon smolts was similarly unaffected by beaver dams, even in periods of low flows.[67] Two year old Atlantic salmon parr in beaver ponds in eastern Canada showed faster summer growth in length and mass and were in better condition than parr upstream or downstream from the pond.[68] The importance of winter habitat to salmonids afforded by beaver ponds may be especially important (and underappreciated) in streams without deep pools or where ice cover makes contact with the bottom of shallow streams.[67] A 2003 study showed that Atlantic salmon and Sea trout (S. trutta morpha trutta) spawning in the Numedalslågen River and 51 of its tributaries in southeastern Norway were unhindered by beaver.[69] In Norway, beaver dams are considered beneficial for Brown and Sea Trout populations (these are potamodromous and anadromous forms of the same species). There, beaver ponds produce increased food for young fish and provide refugia for large adults heading upstream to spawn.[70]
Effect on water quality Edit
The misnomer ‘beaver fever’ was invented by the American press in the 1970s after an outbreak of Giardia lamblia, which causes Giardiasis, was blamed on beavers. However, the outbreak area was also frequented by humans, who are generally the primary source of contamination of waters. In addition, many animals and birds carry this parasite.[71][72][73] Giardiasis affects humans in southeastern Norway, but a recent study found no Giardia in the beavers there.[74] Recent concerns point to domestic animals as a significant vector of Giardia with young calves in dairy herds testing as high as 100% positive for Giardia.[75] New Zealand has Giardia but no beavers. In a 1995 paper recommending re-introduction of beaver to Great Britain, MacDonald stated that the only new diseases that beaver might convey to that country's birds and mammals, are rabies and tularaemia - both diseases that should be preventable by statutory quarantine procedures and prophylactic treatment for tularaemia.[70]
In addition, fecal coliform and streptococci bacteria excreted into streams by grazing cattle have been shown to be reduced by beaver ponds, where the bacteria are trapped in bottom sediments.[76]
ฉันรักBeaver เป็นสายพันธุ์แบบภาพที่ช่วยสนับสนุนระบบนิเวศซึ่งจะเป็นส่วนหนึ่ง พวกเขาสร้างพื้นที่ชุ่มน้ำ การเพิ่มความหลากหลายทางชีวภาพ และให้อยู่อาศัยหลายชนิดหายากเช่นพื้นที่ นาก และ shrews น้ำ พวกเขา coppice จุดต้นไม้และพุ่มเพื่อให้พวกเขาเติบโตเป็นพุ่มหนาแน่นซึ่งครอบคลุมสำหรับนกและสัตว์อื่น ๆ อีก ช่องคลอดเขื่อนดักตะกอน และปรับปรุงคุณภาพน้ำ ชาร์จตารางน้ำบาดาล และเพิ่มปกและอาหารสัตว์สำหรับเทราต์และปลาแซลมอน [61] การศึกษาล่าสุดในโปแลนด์พบว่า สัตว์ชนิดหนึ่งเพิ่มความอุดมสมบูรณ์และความหลากหลายของค้างคาว เห็นได้ชัดเนื่องจากสร้างช่องว่างในป่าสำหรับค้างคาวไปค่ะ [62]แก้ไขลักษณะพิเศษของปลาBeaver ponds have been shown to have a beneficial effect on trout and salmon populations, in fact many authors believe that the decline of salmonid fishes is related to the decline in beaver populations. A study of small streams in Sweden found that brown trout in beaver ponds were larger than those in riffle sections, and that beaver ponds provide habitat for larger trout in small streams during periods of drought.[63] These findings are similar to several studies of beaver effects on fish in North America. Brook trout, coho and sockeye salmon were significantly larger in beaver ponds than those in un-impounded stream sections in Colorado and Alaska.[64][65] In addition, research in the Stillaguamish River basin in Washington state, found that extensive loss of beaver ponds resulted in an 89% reduction in coho salmon smolt summer production and an almost equally detrimental 86% reduction in critical winter habitat carrying capacity.[66] Migration of adult Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) may be limited by beaver dams during periods of low stream flows, but the presence of juveniles upstream from the dams suggests that the dams are penetrated by parr.[67] Downstream migration of Atlantic salmon smolts was similarly unaffected by beaver dams, even in periods of low flows.[67] Two year old Atlantic salmon parr in beaver ponds in eastern Canada showed faster summer growth in length and mass and were in better condition than parr upstream or downstream from the pond.[68] The importance of winter habitat to salmonids afforded by beaver ponds may be especially important (and underappreciated) in streams without deep pools or where ice cover makes contact with the bottom of shallow streams.[67] A 2003 study showed that Atlantic salmon and Sea trout (S. trutta morpha trutta) spawning in the Numedalslågen River and 51 of its tributaries in southeastern Norway were unhindered by beaver.[69] In Norway, beaver dams are considered beneficial for Brown and Sea Trout populations (these are potamodromous and anadromous forms of the same species). There, beaver ponds produce increased food for young fish and provide refugia for large adults heading upstream to spawn.[70]Effect on water quality EditThe misnomer ‘beaver fever’ was invented by the American press in the 1970s after an outbreak of Giardia lamblia, which causes Giardiasis, was blamed on beavers. However, the outbreak area was also frequented by humans, who are generally the primary source of contamination of waters. In addition, many animals and birds carry this parasite.[71][72][73] Giardiasis affects humans in southeastern Norway, but a recent study found no Giardia in the beavers there.[74] Recent concerns point to domestic animals as a significant vector of Giardia with young calves in dairy herds testing as high as 100% positive for Giardia.[75] New Zealand has Giardia but no beavers. In a 1995 paper recommending re-introduction of beaver to Great Britain, MacDonald stated that the only new diseases that beaver might convey to that country's birds and mammals, are rabies and tularaemia - both diseases that should be preventable by statutory quarantine procedures and prophylactic treatment for tularaemia.[70]In addition, fecal coliform and streptococci bacteria excreted into streams by grazing cattle have been shown to be reduced by beaver ponds, where the bacteria are trapped in bottom sediments.[76]
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