Determining the effectiveness of GIS habitat models for beaver (Castor canadensis) to locate watercourses with high beaver habitat potential in British Columbia

Streams and rivers benefit people and wildlife. Climate change has caused streams and rivers in British Columbia to become drier. Man-made dams retain water but are difficult to maintain. North American beaver (Castor canadensis) build dams that retain water, and quickly repair damage, which help solve man-made dam challenges. Ducks Unlimited Canada wants to use beavers to build dams to transition away from their man-made dams and use beavers to restore habitat for waterfowl. This project will use a computer model called the Beaver Restoration Assessment Tool that determines a watercourse’s capacity to support beaver dam construction. The tool’s accuracy will be examined by comparing the tool’s results with field surveys, and then determine if any inaccuracies can be found with hydrological modelling. The project’s results will ideally help Ducks Unlimited Canada locate beaver habitat and use beaver to mitigate climate change impacts in streams and rivers, and restore wetland habitat for waterfowl.

Faculty Supervisor:

Douglas Ransome

Student:

Partner:

Ducks Unlimited Canada (BC)

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Finance and Insurance; Other services (except public administration); Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

British Columbia Institute of Technology

Program: