The beaver meadow complex revisited – the role of beavers in post-glacial floodplain development

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)



Description :
The AA. focus on 2 low-gradient broad valleys, Beaver Meadows and Moraine Park, in Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado, USA). Both valleys experienced a dramatic decrease in beaver population in the past century. They examine the geomorphic significance of beaver-pond sediment by determining the rates and types of sedimentation since the middle Holocene and the role of beaver in driving floodplain evolution through increased channel complexity and fine sediment deposition. Channel complexity increases directly downstream of beaver dams. The increased complexity forms a positive feedback for beaver-induced sedimentation; the multi-thread channel increases potential channel length for further damming, which increases the potential area occupied by beaver ponds and the volume of fine sediment trapped. Channel complexity decreased significantly as surveyed beaver population decreased. These findings underscore the importance of understanding the historical range of variability of valley bottom processes, and implications for environmental restoration.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Earth surface processes and landforms, issn : 0197-9337, 2012, vol. 37, n°. 3, p. 332-346, nombre de pages : 15, Références bibliographiques : 62 ref.

Date :
2012

Editeur :
Pays édition : Royaume-Uni, Chichester, Wiley