The effects of beaver in riverbank forest succession

The effects of beaver cutting on forest succession were studied on the banks of the lower Chippewa River in west central Wisconsin, U.S.A. Beavers were often found to be selective in their choice of woody plants, preferring ash and yellowbud hickory over all other species present. The effect of beaver cutting on tree density was substantial, with greatly reduced densities of trees in areas inhabited by beavers. The effects of beaver on the predicted composition of future generations of trees was also substantial. A major reduction in density is predicted for future populations of ash, hickory, and hackberry in areas of beaver activity, with a concomitant increase in the density of basswood and elm and possibly silver maple and prickly ash.