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Beaver Dams as a Significant Factor in Shaping the Hydromorphological and Hydrological Conditions of Small Lowland Streams

cris.lastimport.scopus2025-10-23T06:58:37Z
cris.lastimport.wos2025-10-23T06:55:33Z
cris.virtual.author-orcid0000-0002-5829-502X
cris.virtual.author-orcid0000-0001-9093-4365
cris.virtual.author-orcid0000-0002-0750-9489
cris.virtual.author-orcid0000-0002-7714-9749
cris.virtualsource.author-orcid25b4fea8-1bac-418e-b7bf-c26ec1e15244
cris.virtualsource.author-orcid1a97415b-d71c-4504-92c0-69469f9e5e82
cris.virtualsource.author-orcid260f2d42-464a-4758-8570-4276d0d768d5
cris.virtualsource.author-orcidc1ffc697-bf57-423f-8744-289bae6f3a38
dc.abstract.enBeavers play a key role in creating temporary water reservoirs that significantly impact the natural environment and local river hydrology. The primary aim of this study was to assess the potential of increasing the number of beaver dams (Castor spp.), as an alternative method of water retention in the environment. Research conducted on three small lowland streams in central Poland revealed that beaver dams, even in modified riverbeds, enable the formation of shallow floodplains and ponds. Innovative analyses considered the structural materials of the dams and their impact on river hydromorphology and sediment transport. The findings emphasise the importance of beavers in water retention processes, the stabilisation of water levels during low flows and the protection of biodiversity. The study also demonstrated that beaver dams play a critical role in storing surface- and groundwater, mitigating drought impacts, reducing surface runoff, and stabilising river flows. These constructions influence local hydrology by increasing soil moisture, extending water retention times, and creating habitats for numerous species. The collected data highlight the potential of beaver dams as a tool in water resource management in the context of climate change. Further research could provide guidance for the sustainable utilisation of beavers in environmental conservation strategies and landscape planning.
dc.affiliationWydział Inżynierii Środowiska i Inżynierii Mechanicznej
dc.affiliation.instituteKatedra Inżynierii Wodnej i Sanitarnej
dc.contributor.authorKałuża, Tomasz
dc.contributor.authorHammerling, Mateusz
dc.contributor.authorZaborowski, Stanisław
dc.contributor.authorPawlak, Maciej
dc.date.access2025-06-10
dc.date.accessioned2025-06-10T11:44:39Z
dc.date.available2025-06-10T11:44:39Z
dc.date.copyright2025-04-08
dc.date.issued2025
dc.description.abstract<jats:p>Beavers play a key role in creating temporary water reservoirs that significantly impact the natural environment and local river hydrology. The primary aim of this study was to assess the potential of increasing the number of beaver dams (Castor spp.), as an alternative method of water retention in the environment. Research conducted on three small lowland streams in central Poland revealed that beaver dams, even in modified riverbeds, enable the formation of shallow floodplains and ponds. Innovative analyses considered the structural materials of the dams and their impact on river hydromorphology and sediment transport. The findings emphasise the importance of beavers in water retention processes, the stabilisation of water levels during low flows and the protection of biodiversity. The study also demonstrated that beaver dams play a critical role in storing surface- and groundwater, mitigating drought impacts, reducing surface runoff, and stabilising river flows. These constructions influence local hydrology by increasing soil moisture, extending water retention times, and creating habitats for numerous species. The collected data highlight the potential of beaver dams as a tool in water resource management in the context of climate change. Further research could provide guidance for the sustainable utilisation of beavers in environmental conservation strategies and landscape planning.</jats:p>
dc.description.accesstimeat_publication
dc.description.bibliographyil., bibliogr.
dc.description.financepublication_nocost
dc.description.financecost0,00
dc.description.if3,3
dc.description.number8
dc.description.points100
dc.description.versionfinal_published
dc.description.volume17
dc.identifier.doi10.3390/su17083317
dc.identifier.issn2071-1050
dc.identifier.urihttps://sciencerep.up.poznan.pl/handle/item/2825
dc.identifier.weblinkhttps://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/8/3317
dc.languageen
dc.pbn.affiliationenvironmental engineering, mining and energy
dc.relation.ispartofSustainability
dc.relation.pagesart. 3317
dc.rightsCC-BY
dc.sciencecloudsend
dc.share.typeOPEN_JOURNAL
dc.subject.enbeaver dams
dc.subject.enhydromorphological conditions
dc.subject.ensmall lowland streams
dc.subject.pltamy bobrowe
dc.subject.plwarunki hydromorfologiczne
dc.subject.plmałe strumienie nizinne
dc.titleBeaver Dams as a Significant Factor in Shaping the Hydromorphological and Hydrological Conditions of Small Lowland Streams
dc.typeJournalArticle
dspace.entity.typePublication
oaire.citation.issue8
oaire.citation.volume17