Evaluation of tree and shrub resources of the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber L.) and changes in beaver foraging strategy after resources depletion

Goryainova, Z. I.; Katsman, E. A.; Zavyalov, N. A.; Khlyap, L. A.; Petrosyan, V. G.

doi:10.1134/s207511171404002x

Cited by 9 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…The results of this study and the findings of other authors clearly indicate that willows, aspens and alders are most commonly cut by beavers in the fall and winter (Ficek, 2003;Vorel et al, 2015;O'Connell et al, 2008;Goryainova et al, 2014). In some studies, beavers chose other species of trees and shrubs, such as Corylus avellana (Margaletic et al, 2006).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 64%

“…Riparian zone B was occupied by 503 trees, of which 152 (30.22%) were cut and 17 (3.38%) were partly cut by beavers. Riparian zone C was occupied by 566 trees, of which 133 (23.5%) were cut and 15 (2.65%) were partly cut by beavers (Tables 5, 6, 7).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The results of our study and the findings of other authors suggest that beavers concentrate their feeding activity in riparian zones that are 15 m in width. According to Goryainova et al (2014), beavers generally do not forage further than 50 m away from the shore in early stages of habitat colonization. When local food resources are depleted, the foraging zone can be expanded to 165 m from the shoreline in the absence of pressure from predators.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Preferences of the European Beaver Castor Fiber for Trees and Shrubs in Riparian Zones

Janiszewski¹

2017

Appl. Ecol. Env. Res.

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The aim of this study was to identify selected factors that influence the preferences of European beavers Castor fiber for various tree species in three different riparian zones. The study was realized during the November and December of 2015, in 8 research sites located in the immediate vicinity of watercourses. To determine the foraging preferences of beavers, there were analyzed the species and diameter of trees in each riparian zone. Beavers cut down 33.44% trees and partly cut 5.2% trees from 2500 total identified. The results of this study indicate that willows, aspens and alders are most commonly cut by beavers in the fall and winter. In addition to tree species and diameter, beaver foraging preferences are also affected by the distance from the shoreline of a river, watercourse or a water body.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 64%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Preferences of the European Beaver Castor Fiber for Trees and Shrubs in Riparian Zones

Janiszewski¹

2017

Appl. Ecol. Env. Res.

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“…We noted that selection for diving locations near the riverbank was statistically stronger among individuals that exploited a larger home range: individuals that exploit a larger home range may have a greater need to stay closer to the riverbank due to higher territory patrolling efforts whereas individuals exploiting smaller home ranges may be able to forage further away from the riverbank [86]. Individuals using larger areas or inhabiting larger territories may also have reduced resource depletion so that, conversely, beavers restricted to smaller areas may be forced to exploit foraging areas further away from the riverbank [33,156]. Larger home ranges may also have a greater area of shallow water, which, depending on the time spent diving, can be energetically easier to exploit for a semi-aquatic animal [140].…”

Section: Diving Selectionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aquatic habitat use in a semi-aquatic mammal: the Eurasian beaver

et al. 2021

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Background Semi-aquatic mammals exploit resources both on land and in water and may require both to meet their habitat requirements including food- and building resources, refuges, and for social interactions with conspecifics. Within this, the specific availability of both terrestrial and aquatic resources is expected to impact individual fitness. Beavers are highly dependent on water for movement and protection from predators. They are central place foragers and mostly forage on woody vegetation near water although aquatic vegetation may also be an important food resource. However, little is known about their use of aquatic habitats. We aimed to address this knowledge gap by dead-reckoning fine-scale movement tracks and classifying fine-scale diving events, which we then related to the spatial distribution of aquatic vegetation and habitat components within the territory. Results Overall, there was a statistically clear decrease in probability that diving would occur at dawn and with increasing distance from territory borders. In addition, the distance from the lodge at which animals dived decreased through the night and during the spring/early summer. There was strong selection for diving habitats located closer to the riverbank, with stronger selection for these areas being observed in individuals with larger home ranges. We saw a higher selection for diving above clay sediment, and within 150 m from the lodge, presumably because mud and clay sediment tended to be located closer to the lodge than sand and rock sediment. Furthermore, we found a clear selection for diving in the presence of quillwort (Isoetes spp.), shoreweed (Littorella uniflora), and stonewort (Nitella spp.). Selection for these focal species was stronger among subordinate individuals. Individuals with lower body condition dived closer to the beaver lodge, and dives located further from the lodge were associated with high densities of aquatic vegetation. Conclusion We provide new knowledge on the aquatic habitat use in a semi-aquatic mammal and show how energetic constraints may shape how beavers spatially use the aquatic environment, whereby short and shallow dives appear most beneficial. We show how aquatic habitats may have great importance for both foraging, building materials and safety, and discuss to how they may affect the fitness of individuals.

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“…cies, removing the trunks of certain tree species for construction activities and foraging (Goryaynov et al, 2014). The construction of dams causes the occurrence of temporary and permanent water bodies of a special type -beaver ponds, as well as a general swamping of the areas used.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Floristic Diversity of Watercourses and Temporary Reservoirs of the Ostrovtsovsky Cluster of the Volga Regional Forest-Steppe State Natural Biospheric Reserve Impacted by the European Beaver’s Expansion

Katzman¹

2018

PJE

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The paper is devoted to an important problem of modern ecology, namely, the reaction of native ecosystems to the activity of invader species, with the European beaver (Castor fiber L) as an example. This species transforms the environment as a result of its foraging and constructive activities. Higher vascular plants (macrophytes) in water bodies and streams are one of the basic components of biotopes. They serve as a limiting factor for the spread of such invasive species as C. fiber, because macrophytes determine the basis of this animal's diet. On the other hand, under the influence of the constructive and foraging activities of C. fiber, the macrophyte communities undergo significant changes. As a result of this process, such indicators as trophicity and saprobity of natural waters change, whose quality is formed at the level of small reservoirs and watercourses. It is especially important for the forest-steppe zone characterized by relative poverty of water resources. The data collected during three field seasons (2015-2017) allow describing the current status of the highest aquatic vegetation in several small water bodies and watercourses located in the Volga regional forest-steppe State Nature Reserve. Other factors of environment transformation, such as the economic use of reservoirs and watercourses and their adjacent territories, and the recreational load, are practically excluded there. The presented data reflect the influence of C. fiber upon the biocenoses of small water bodies and watercourses.

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Evaluation of tree and shrub resources of the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber L.) and changes in beaver foraging strategy after resources depletion

Cited by 9 publications

References 17 publications

The Preferences of the European Beaver Castor Fiber for Trees and Shrubs in Riparian Zones

The Preferences of the European Beaver Castor Fiber for Trees and Shrubs in Riparian Zones

Aquatic habitat use in a semi-aquatic mammal: the Eurasian beaver

Floristic Diversity of Watercourses and Temporary Reservoirs of the Ostrovtsovsky Cluster of the Volga Regional Forest-Steppe State Natural Biospheric Reserve Impacted by the European Beaver’s Expansion

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