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Colonization, riparian habitat selection and home range size in a reintroduced population of European beavers in the Loire
Author(s) -
Fustec J.,
Lode T.,
Le Jacques D.,
Cormier J. P.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
freshwater biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.297
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2427
pISSN - 0046-5070
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2427.2001.00756.x
Subject(s) - riparian zone , beaver , willow , ecology , biology , colonization , habitat , population , salicaceae , range (aeronautics) , riparian forest , woody plant , demography , materials science , sociology , composite material
1. Colonization in a reintroduced population of European beavers in the Loire Valley was studied between 1974 and 1999. It followed a discontinuous remoteness model and a scattered distribution, beavers occupying only 25% of the river system over the 2800 km explored. 2. After 5 years, the colonization rate reached 104.2% year –1 of new sites occupied (SD 75% year –1 ), before dropping over the next 20 years. Nevertheless, the number of new colonies per km (0.125) remained stable throughout the years. 3. Populus nigra , Salix alba and Fraxinus angustifolia were the dominant woody species in beaver sites, often associated with some herbaceous species. 4. The length of willow grove dominated by S. alba and P. nigra ( x ) was the best predictor of beaver home range ( y ), fitting the equation y =−0.742 x + 5.9. Long‐term maintenance of the population requires a minimum of 1.79‐km of willows per colony. 5. In cutting tree trunks, beavers stimulate shoot development from the remaining stumps. They rejuvenate riparian forests, increase the number of tree stems and help stabilize the banks. Their effect on woody plant morphogenesis may have consequences for the helophyte communities used as food or habitat by other aquatic species.