The impact of West em European beaver on stream channels: some implications for past stream conditions and human activity

Abstract

The impact of beaver dams on stream channels is examined in three western European study areas, with regard to channel dimensions, development of multiple channels, water flow, water volume, sedimentation and organic input. In each area, it is argued that the beaver dams have a marked effect in the short term (up to 40 years). Longer term trends are predicted on the basis of North American studies. The relevance of the beaver-induced changes to palaeoenvironmental and archaeological studies is considered.