The Role of Beaver in the Natural Reclamation of Placer-Mined Drainages in East Central Alaska
Fox KB, Fox LM, Knuckles PL. 1996. The Role of Beaver in the Natural Reclamation of Placer-Mined Drainages in East Central Alaska. Resource Management Report Series. YUCH-94-03. National Park Service. Fairbanks, AK
We sampled vegetation and measured ponds associated with beaver (Castor canadensis) activity, and also ponds not used by beaver during the summer field seasons (June-September), 1993-1994 in Coal Creek drainage, Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve, east-central Alaska. All beaver ponds in the drainage were located on helicopter surveys, mapped using mylar overlays on large scale (1:1,000) aerial photos, and located and measured on the ground. Vegetation sampling included circular plots (20 m diameter) placed in foraged and non-foraged areas adjacent to beaver ponds to determine tree species, proportion and species of harvested trees, diameter, and age. Beaver selectively harvested willow (Salix spp.), avoided harvesting alder (Alnus spp.), white spruce (Picea glauca), and black spruce (Picea mariana), and used other trees, including birch (Betula papyrifera) in proportion to their availability. Analysis of variance performed on mean age and mean diameter for harvested vs. unharvested trees resulted in significant differences (P<= 0.05)between group means. This indicated beaver selection of trees for harvest which were 4.5-4.8 cm in diameter, and 17-24 years in age which were available within 30 m of water. This study provides information about beaver habitat and selection of forage species that can assist resource managers in identifying previously placer-mined riparian areas that have the potential to support healthy beaver populations. By encouraging beaver activity on previously placer-mined or otherwise disturbed landscapes, it may be possible to accelerate naturally occurring processes to meet reclamation and habitat management goals without mechanized interference.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Fox, Kevin; Fox, Lisa; Knuckles, Penny
- Date of Issue
- 1996
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- Units
- CAKN , KEFJ , YUCH
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, Beaver, Castor canadensis, Ecology, Hydrology, Mammals, Mammals (Mammalia), Mnagement, Natural Resource, Placer Mining, Reclamation, Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve, Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve AK