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Introduced species issue - Deer - Raccoon - Beaver - Squirrel - Rats - Plants - Others -
An overview of consequences
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Beaver
Beaver were introduced to Haida Gwaii in Masset Inlet in 1936 by the BC Game Commission as a source of fur for trappers.
Beaver don't grow high quality pelts in the mild coastal climate and in the absence of any other predators they have spread throughout the Islands. 		beaver


In some areas of Haida Gwaii beaver have had a huge impact.
This is especially true on Graham Island where there is a lot of flat land created by glacial melt waters from the last ice age. At risk is the abundance of recreation opportunities as well as biological, historical and physical features in this area.
The unique sphagnum bogs, shown here, are one of the ecosystems adversely affected by beaver activities.

bog


Beavers build dams and flood large areas raising the level of small lakes, killing surrounding plants, eliminating shoreline nesting areas, affecting salmon spawning streams and generally making profound changes in the ecosystem.

 dam


Beaver dams can block salmon movements upstream and cause siltation in spawning beds.
Wild crabapples, especially those growing along streams and lakes have suffered significant reductions due to beaver activities. BC Parks has placed wire exclosures around surviving trees for protection.
BC Parks has conducted studies on beaver impact in relation to the topography of Naikoon Park and is working to maintain the native ecosystems of the Park.

exclosure


Beaver activities change water courses which in turn impacts forest growth. This has concerned the forestry companies for many years.
Logging companies on Haida Gwaii pay trappers to manage beaver populations in sensitive areas. 

 logging
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