Geomorphological effects of beaver activities in lowland drainage ditches

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)



Description :
The aims of this study were to quantify geomorphic alterations caused by beavers inhabiting ditches in an anthropogenically transformed landscape of the Middle Lithuanian Lowland, in the Nevėžis basin, and to predict the shifts in the magnitude of alterations as the beaver population fluctuates. Two methods, aerial photographs and global positioning system, were used to map all ditches in selected sites and all available beaver-created visible structures therein. On the drainage ditch network scale, the quantitative geomorphic effect of beaver activities resulting from construction of dams, burrowing into the ditch slopes, and digging of lateral canals, as well as the development of scours was estimated. On the catchment scale of the whole hydrographical network, an increase in either the length of dammed drainage ditches, or the density of beaver-sites, resulted in the potential growth of the total geomorphic effect.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Zeitschrift für Geomorphologie, issn : 0372-8854, 2012, vol. 56, n°. 4, p. 425-458, nombre de pages : 34, Références bibliographiques : 34 ref.

Date :
2012

Editeur :
Pays édition : Allemagne, Stuttgart, Gebruder Borntraeger