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Fyodorov F.V.
Beaver vs man: conflict of interest, its causes and prevention
// Abstracts of 7th Intern. Beaver Symp. “Beavers – from genetic variation to landscape-level effects in ecosystems” (Voronezh, Russia, 14-17 September 2015). Voronezh, 2015. P. 23
Keywords: beaver, forest drainage, engineering infrastructure, roads, damage
As its range is expanding and abundance is growing the beaver more and more tends to settle on man-made watercourses (drainage ditches) and streams along utility lines, thus afflicting human economy.
In northern Karelia, 55 % (n=43) of beaver colonies cling to highways, railway, power lines, i.e. areas offering better food resources for beavers compared to natural habitats. Average beaver population density there is 3-5 colonies per 10 km of the linear infrastructure (whereas the density in 10 km of natural shoreline is 1-2 colonies).
Southern districts of Karelia offer better conditions for beavers, and their population density is higher – 4 – 8 colonies in 10 km of shoreline. However, specific conditions and heavy nuisance result in a considerably lower beaver population density along roads than in the north – 0.8 – 1 colonies in 10 km of roadside watercourses.
Up to 37 % of all beaver colonies in southern Karelia are concentrated around drainage ditches (Kan’shiev, 1986). The density of beaver settlements in these habitats ranges from 2 to 4 colonies per 10 km (Fyodorov, 2013).
Known beaver damage to human facilities has amounted to 58 events over 2 years (2013-2014), including: 67.2 % – flooding of roads, 22.4 – flooding of border engineering infrastructure, 6.9 – impairing of drainage system operation, 3.5 % – flooding of farmland. To mitigate the damage, the Republic of Karelia Ministry of Agriculture issued 11 licenses and 74 beavers were bagged.
In the period from 2008 to 2012, Karelenergo company staff recorded 28 occasions of power lines failures caused by falling beaver-browsed trees. Repairing them cost 936 man-hours.
Measures have been worked out to mitigate the detrimental effects of beaver activities.
The results of the author’s own studies and the materials provided by the Republic of Karelia Ministry of Agriculture, Fish and Game were used in the discussions.
The study was funded by the federal budget under state-ordered project ¹ 0221-2014-0006, Russian Foundation for Basic Research grant ¹ 14-05-00439, and RAS Presidium grant “Living Nature”.
In northern Karelia, 55 % (n=43) of beaver colonies cling to highways, railway, power lines, i.e. areas offering better food resources for beavers compared to natural habitats. Average beaver population density there is 3-5 colonies per 10 km of the linear infrastructure (whereas the density in 10 km of natural shoreline is 1-2 colonies).
Southern districts of Karelia offer better conditions for beavers, and their population density is higher – 4 – 8 colonies in 10 km of shoreline. However, specific conditions and heavy nuisance result in a considerably lower beaver population density along roads than in the north – 0.8 – 1 colonies in 10 km of roadside watercourses.
Up to 37 % of all beaver colonies in southern Karelia are concentrated around drainage ditches (Kan’shiev, 1986). The density of beaver settlements in these habitats ranges from 2 to 4 colonies per 10 km (Fyodorov, 2013).
Known beaver damage to human facilities has amounted to 58 events over 2 years (2013-2014), including: 67.2 % – flooding of roads, 22.4 – flooding of border engineering infrastructure, 6.9 – impairing of drainage system operation, 3.5 % – flooding of farmland. To mitigate the damage, the Republic of Karelia Ministry of Agriculture issued 11 licenses and 74 beavers were bagged.
In the period from 2008 to 2012, Karelenergo company staff recorded 28 occasions of power lines failures caused by falling beaver-browsed trees. Repairing them cost 936 man-hours.
Measures have been worked out to mitigate the detrimental effects of beaver activities.
The results of the author’s own studies and the materials provided by the Republic of Karelia Ministry of Agriculture, Fish and Game were used in the discussions.
The study was funded by the federal budget under state-ordered project ¹ 0221-2014-0006, Russian Foundation for Basic Research grant ¹ 14-05-00439, and RAS Presidium grant “Living Nature”.
Last modified: January 25, 2017