A global review of beaver dam impacts: Stream conservation implications across biomes

Beaver are recolonizing previously occupied regions, expanding into new territories, and increasingly being introduced and protected for stream conservation and restoration across numerous biomes. However, beaver dam effects on the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of streams may vary within and among biomes. A comprehensive review of these impacts is lacking. The goals of this review were to: 1) summarize the distribution of studies by biome on beaver dam effects related to channel morphology, hydrology, water quality, and aquatic biota, as well as on beaver habitat selection, 2) summarize the extent to which beaver dam impacts have been consistent within and among biomes, and 3) share testable hypotheses regarding beaver impacts within understudied biomes. We quantify the directionality of beaver dam impacts from 267 peer-reviewed studies. Results show that the majority of studies have been completed within temperate forest environments and that many biomes are understudied. Across biomes, beaver preferred sites for dam development characterized by relatively low gradients and unconfined reaches with small drainage areas. Overall, parameters related to stream morphology and hydrology showed relatively consistent responses to beaver dams within and among biomes, yet water quality and biotic responses were variable among biomes. Responses also varied by parameter within water quality and biotic impact categories. The findings of this study can be useful for stream conservation and restoration efforts that introduce or protect beaver. Additional studies are needed within arid and cold biomes historically occupied by beaver and in novel biomes where beaver populations are currently expanding.

Automated summary

Beavers are reclaiming their old habitats, expanding into new territories, and being protected for stream conservation in various environments. The effects of beaver dams on streams are complex and vary among different biomes. Most studies have been conducted in temperate forests, leaving many biomes understudied. Beaver dams prefer sites with low slopes, unconfined reaches, and small drainage areas. The impact of beaver dams on stream morphology and hydrology is relatively consistent across biomes, while water quality and biotic responses vary. Further research is needed in arid and cold biomes historically occupied by beavers and in new biomes where beaver populations are growing.