Beavers are living as far north as the Arctic, report finds
CTV
Beavers are colonizing much farther north than they used to, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s annual Artic Report Card.
Satellite imagery shows beavers have been colonizing the Arctic tundra of Alaska and Canada, with over 12,000 ponds counted so far in western Alaska alone, with most areas showing a doubling of beaver ponds over the past 20 years.
The report states that aerial photography shows no beaver ponds in this area of the Alaskan region prior to 1955.
Beaver pond mapping is taking place in Canada, showing that the influx of the animals is controlling surface water increases, which can impact underlying permafrost.
The report says beavers are transforming the lowland tundra ecosystem, as climate change and warming northern regions result in increased vegetation productivity and expansion of woody shrubs – prime building materials for beaver dams.
