Example 2: Kabetogama Peninsula,
Minnesota (Naiman et al. 1988).
This study evaluated changes in
stream and riparian systems between 1940
and 1986 as a result of beavers returning
to the area. Table 2 shows the increase
in ponds, wetlands, wet meadows,
and moist meadows – indications of
increased amounts of surface and ground
water stored in the system – during the
expansion of beavers and beaver dams in
the drainages. While the article does not talk about climatic variability, it is certain
that in the 46-year-period there were dry
periods and wet periods, yet during that
time the amount of water stored increased.