The Tres Rios Constructed Wetlands Demonstration Project was planned, designed, and constructed to
provide habitat, water treatment, low-impact recreation, and research opportunities in Maricopa
County, Arizona. The
wetlands area is split into three sites, with approximately 13 acres of emergent marsh, free-water
surface wetlands. Research has concentrated on water quality improvements, vegetation sustainability,
mosquito control, and wildlife attraction. Soon after completion of the
wetlands, beavers moved in. The arrival of the beaver was a sign that the wetlands
were doing their job in attracting native wildlife and providing habitat that has been severely degraded
in the last 100 years.
Then, the beavers multiplied. Using a nighttime spotlight survey, beaver numbers were estimated at
somewhere between 34 and 50 individuals. Other evidence of excessive beaver activity included
extensive damage to wetland plants from foraging, cut or girdled trees, burrows, and runways. After consultation with Wildlife Services, a cooperative non-lethal beaver research program was
established. This paper describes the two phases of the program. The research currently being conducted by Wildlife Services and Tres Rios
staff is vital in maintaining acceptable populations of beavers within the full-scale Tres Rios
project. The research is currently at a very early stage, but will continue for approximately four more
years, providing the opportunity to learn much about beaver ecology in the southwestern United States,
and assess efficacy of non-lethal control options. Includes 4 references.
| Edition : | Vol. - No. |
| File Size : | 1
file
, 380 KB |
| Note : | This product is unavailable in Ukraine, Russia, Belarus |
| Number of Pages : | 5 |
| Published : | 01/11/2004 |
