Effects of beaver damn on invertebrate drift in forest streams

Abstract

We aimed to assess the effects of beaver dams on the invertebrate drift fauna in five central Swedish boreal forest streams. Each stream was sampled once during the autumn, with drift traps placed upstream and downstream of the beaver dams. Drift densities (numbers/100 m(3) water) were calculated. The invertebrates were determined, dried and weighed. No significant differences were noted in total drift densities or in the drift densities of pelagic species. The drift densities of benthic species were higher upstream of the dam, mainly because Ephemeroptera were more abundant in the upstream part. No significant difference was observed in diversity or dry weight. The functional feeding group ratio: filtering collectors/gathering collectors was significantly higher downstream of the dam.

Keywords

stream invertebrates; drift fauna; beaver dam; beaver pond

Published in

Sumarski List
2013, volume: 137, number: 11-12, pages: 597-607
Publisher: CROATIAN FORESTRY SOC

SLU Authors

• Redin, Andreas

• Sjöberg, Göran

  • Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental Studies, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Forest Science

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/76871