Articles | Volume 23, issue 15
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-5437-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-23-5437-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
07 Aug 2026
Research article |
| 07 Aug 2026
| 07 Aug 2026
The effect of beaver dams on the physico-chemical properties of stream water in the Carpathians (Poland and Slovakia)
Department of Geoenvironmental Research, Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization, Polish Academy of Sciences, św. Jana 22, 31-018 Kraków, Poland
Joanna P. Siwek
Institute of Geography and Spatial Management, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, ul. Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
Małgorzata Kijowska-Strugała
Department of Geoenvironmental Research, Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization, Polish Academy of Sciences, św. Jana 22, 31-018 Kraków, Poland
Elżbieta Gorczyca
Institute of Geography and Spatial Management, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, ul. Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
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Short summary
The recent return of beavers to many regions has drawn scientific attention to the effects of their dam-building activity. This study identified beaver pond characteristics that significantly influence biogeochemical processes occurring in beaver-inhabited rivers. The study shows that older ponds are more effective in altering physico-chemical water parameters. Such results support the need for the conservation of beaver ponds as a nature-based water management solution.
The recent return of beavers to many regions has drawn scientific attention to the effects of...
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