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Tundra be dammed
- Increasing air temperatures are changing the arctic tundra biome. Permafrost is thawing, snow duration is decreasing, shrub vegetation is proliferating, and boreal wildlife is encroaching. Here we present evidence of the recent range expansion of North American beaver (Castor canadensis) into the Arctic, and consider how this ecosystem engineer might reshape the landscape, biodiversity, and ecosystem processes. We developed a remote sensing approach that maps formation and disappearance of ponds associated with beaver activity. Since 1999, 56 new beaver pond complexes were identified, indicating that beavers are colonizing a predominantly tundra region (18,293km(2)) of northwest Alaska. It is unclear how improved tundra stream habitat, population rebound following overtrapping for furs, or other factors are contributing to beaver range expansion. We discuss rates and likely routes of tundra beaver colonization, as well as effects on permafrost, stream ice regimes, and freshwater and riparian habitat. Beaver ponds and associatedIncreasing air temperatures are changing the arctic tundra biome. Permafrost is thawing, snow duration is decreasing, shrub vegetation is proliferating, and boreal wildlife is encroaching. Here we present evidence of the recent range expansion of North American beaver (Castor canadensis) into the Arctic, and consider how this ecosystem engineer might reshape the landscape, biodiversity, and ecosystem processes. We developed a remote sensing approach that maps formation and disappearance of ponds associated with beaver activity. Since 1999, 56 new beaver pond complexes were identified, indicating that beavers are colonizing a predominantly tundra region (18,293km(2)) of northwest Alaska. It is unclear how improved tundra stream habitat, population rebound following overtrapping for furs, or other factors are contributing to beaver range expansion. We discuss rates and likely routes of tundra beaver colonization, as well as effects on permafrost, stream ice regimes, and freshwater and riparian habitat. Beaver ponds and associated hydrologic changes are thawing permafrost. Pond formation increases winter water temperatures in the pond and downstream, likely creating new and more varied aquatic habitat, but specific biological implications are unknown. Beavers create dynamic wetlands and are agents of disturbance that may enhance ecosystem responses to warming in the Arctic.…
Author details: | Ken D. TapeORCiD, Benjamin M. JonesORCiD, Christopher D. ArpORCiD, Ingmar NitzeORCiDGND, Guido GrosseORCiDGND |
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DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.14332 |
ISSN: | 1354-1013 |
ISSN: | 1365-2486 |
Pubmed ID: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29845698 |
Title of parent work (English): | Global change biology |
Subtitle (English): | beaver colonization of the arctic |
Publisher: | Wiley |
Place of publishing: | Hoboken |
Publication type: | Article |
Language: | English |
Date of first publication: | 2018/05/30 |
Publication year: | 2018 |
Release date: | 2021/09/22 |
Tag: | arctic tundra; beaver; climate change; permafrost; population recovery; salmon; shrub expansion; stream |
Volume: | 24 |
Issue: | 10 |
Number of pages: | 11 |
First page: | 4478 |
Last Page: | 4488 |
Funding institution: | Alaska EPSCoR NSF [OIA-1208927]; State of Alaska; European Research CouncilEuropean Research Council (ERC) [338335]; Helmholtz Association Initiative and Networking Fund [ERC0013]; European Space Agency GlobPermafrost; University of Alaska Fairbanks Office of Vice Chancellor for Research |
Organizational units: | Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät / Institut für Geowissenschaften |
DDC classification: | 5 Naturwissenschaften und Mathematik / 55 Geowissenschaften, Geologie / 550 Geowissenschaften |
Peer review: | Referiert |
Publishing method: | Open Access / Bronze Open-Access |