Volume: 2, 2023
2nd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: E028
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL2.E028
Published online: 19 April 2023
ICDSUPL, 2, E028 (2023)
Differentiation of beaver dam construction on small lowland rivers
Katarzyna Połeć1*, Antoni Grzywna1
1 Department of Environmental Engineering and Geodesy, Faculty of Production Engineering, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Leszczyńskiego 7 St., 20-069, Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: katarzyna.polec@up.lublin.pl
Abstract
The aim of the work was to present the diversification problems of natural dam structures which occur on small lowland rivers. A comparative analysis of the beaver dams parameters (height, width, length of the structure) and the type of building material used by Castor fiber L. to construct the dam was carried out. Moreover, the impact of land development on the occurrence of dam construction diversity and the impact of construction diversity on the way water flows through the dam was assessed. The research was carried out on the rivers: Włodawka, Mietiułka, Piwonia, Tyśmienica, Świerszcz and Szum, located in the Lublin Voivodeship. 10 research points (beaver dams) were selected and the diversity of land use was taken into account (forested areas, scrubs, terrein intensively used for agriculture). As a result of the research, similar sizes of beaver dam structures on small lowland rivers were found (the length of the structures was from 4 to 6.5 m; width from 0.6 to 1.3 m; the height of dams from 0.7 to 1 m). Depending on the dams’ location, differences in the percentage composition of the building material were found. For 80% of the examined objects, it was found that brunches were the dominant material in the structure (the content of wood material in these structures was from 60 to 90% of the structure; the dams were located in the area: forestry – 5 dams, scrubs – 1 dam and used for agriculture – 2 dams). Two monitored objects contained mainly mud in their construction (70% of the structure) and were located in a forested and scrubs area. As a result of the research, the occurrence of four types of flows through the beaver dam was noted: overflow, through flow, gapflow, underflow. 50% of the dams on the forest areas had gapflows, while brunches dominated the construction of these dams. In the case of dams dominated by mud, through flow was noted. In areas used for agriculture, both overflows and underflows were recorded. The activity of the European beaver contributes to changes in the environment and water management. The variability of land use affects the occurrence of differences in the construction and flow of water through a natural dam. Recognizing the mechanism of changes in the construction of dams and water flow will make it possible to model surface water retention and create plans to counteract floods and droughts.
How to cite
K. Połeć, A. Grzywna, 2023. Differentiation of beaver dam construction on small lowland rivers. In: 2nd International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL2.E028