Study Shows Industrial ‘Borrowed Wells’ Benefit Beavers and Gluttons

According to a new study by ecologists at the University of Alberta, beavers and gluttons in northern Alberta are using industry-created loan deposits like homes and feeding areas.

The research examined the relationship between local wildlife and loan wells, where earth, gravel, or sand has been dug for road construction. The results show that when revegetated, the sites provide homes for beavers, which in turn support glutton survival.

“The borrowed trenches improve habitats for a number of wildlife species in the northern Alberta swamps,” said Mark Boyce, co-author of the study and president of the Alberta Conservation Association for Fish and Wildlife.

“Deep waters and adjacent forage create excellent habitats for beavers. And wolverines thrive when beavers do. Not only do they prey on beavers, but gluttons have also been shown to use beaver shelters as dens where they have their cubs. “

The displacement of wildlife by industrial development is a complex issue, Boyce explained.

“In this case, industrial development created loan wells that are now used by beavers that actually improve habitats for our wild icon, the glutton.”

The research was led by Ph.D. student Matthew Scrafford, who formed a partnership with the Dene Tha First Nation that was instrumental in the study.

“The most important partner in this investigation was the Dene Tha First Nation,” Boyce noted. “Several young people in the area were excited about the project. They were instrumental in building traps and supporting our research.”

This research was funded by the Alberta Conservation Association, the Alberta Trappers Association, and Husky Energy.

The study, “Use of Beaver (Castor canadensis) from Loan Wells in an Industrial Landscape in Northwest Alberta,” was published in the Environmental Management Magazine.