Thesis
The importance of handling and environment on translocated beaver (Castor canadensis) dam building
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2018
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/101263
Abstract
Increasingly land managers use beavers to restore stream function. Through the impacts of dam building beavers increase water storage and aquifer recharge, resulting in improved stream conditions for fish. Restoration projects that translocate nuisance beavers provide an opportunity to improve our understanding of habitat selection and translocation success. Much previous research has been carried out on beaver habitat preferences which can inform site selection suitable for beaver release. However, comparatively little research has been carried out on the impacts of beaver handling methods during translocation on dam building success. Using a 10-year dataset from the Methow Beaver Project on beaver translocations, we evaluated the importance of habitat and handling variables on dam building success. For 126 individual releases across 61 release sites, we collected remotely-sensed and in-situ field data of beaver habitat (stream hydrology, channel morphology and vegetation). We also analysed handling characteristics of the translocation by testing for differences in how beavers were paired up, the age of beavers released, time spent in the holding facility and time of year released. Our findings indicate that handling parameters during translocation can significantly impact success. Pairing beavers up in the holding facility increased likelihood of success (p = 0.003). Maximum time spent in the holding facility also significantly increased chances of establishment (p = 0.043). These findings underline the importance of taking into account release characteristics that can influence the behaviour of the translocated animal. They also justify the increased cost of using holding facilities to pair animals before release, since extra investment in feeding and animal husbandry can be offset by increased habitat restoration and achievement of project objectives. By emphasising the importance of handling in translocation protocols as well as habitat suitability, we hope to improve translocation success rates for habitat restoration and climate change mitigation.
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Details
- Title
- The importance of handling and environment on translocated beaver (Castor canadensis) dam building
- Creators
- Izott Emily-Lydia Tween
- Contributors
- Alexander Kent Fremier (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Environment, School of the (CAHNRS)
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525034401842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis