KNOWLEDGE BASE

Over 5 months of 1994, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was measured in the rain, in forest water, and in wetlands, with a view to understanding the role that DOC played in the carbon cycle of these Canadian boreal forests. DOC concentrations in peatland water and beaver ponds were especially high. However, low runoff from these same habitats led to led to limited DOC export from the ecosystem. High DOC in rainfall was suggested to result from local wildfires.

This study compared beaver willow-eating patterns and willow tree distribution on two rivers in Colorado, USA: one free-flowing, the other whose flow is regulated by a man-made dam. Despite similar willow abundance in both rivers, beavers cut significantly more willow on the latter river because the regulated flow created island patches near the water, making the willow more easily available to beavers.

This study examined the eyes of sixteen healthy beavers from Canada. Eye structure, bacterial and fungal flora, and intraocular pressure were measured. Typical Canadian beaver eyes have circular pupils and a third eyelid; most eyes had bacteria but no fungi. Their retinas lack blood vessels. Please note, this resource is not open-access.

Six pairs of Eurasian beavers in Norway had their daily routines studied over two years, with researchers tracking the time spent traveling, eating, and being in their lodge. They found that males spent more time traveling than females, but otherwise, there were no significant differences. While the study had a small sample size, it provides evidence that male and female beavers share similar responsibilities in caring for their offspring. Please note, this resource is not open-access.

Researchers sought to understand beavers' tree-cutting behaviour around a specific lake in central Ohio. No single tree-cutting strategy emerged, instead strategies appeared to be adapted to factors including: distance from water, tree size, and slope steepness. Where slopes were steeper, beavers mainly cut trees from the uphill side. Beavers cut smaller trees mainly from the downhill side.