Chapter 7: Human alterations to riparian areas
Beaver
Trapping
- Trapping in the 1800’s led to almost the complete elimination of beavers in the southwest.
- THIS IS A CONTROVERSIAL ISSUE.
- Some believe the removal of beavers is negative because:
- loss of beaver dams has led to loss of control structures,
- increased stream bank instability,
- decreased the water table that has eliminated streamside wetlands, and
- large woody material are now lost downstream.
- Some believe the removal of beavers is positive because of:
- riparian vegetation now grows without being eaten by the beavers, or
- being damaged by flood flows after the beaver dams break.
Figure 7.28. Beavers.
