As part of Defenders of Wildlife’s beaver conservation initiative, a new survey, which has never been conducted in New Mexico, reveals an uneven distribution of beaver dams — and the subsequential ecological benefits — throughout the state. Commissioned by Defenders, the survey is a critical tool for the future of strategic beaver and water conservation New Mexico.
“Dam-building beavers are critical for water and wildlife conservation, especially when considering the effects of climate change on our water availability,” said Peggy Darr, Defenders of Wildlife New Mexico representative. “The results of this survey will be used to directly impact beaver numbers in New Mexico’s perennial rivers, not only by Defenders, but by beaver conservation practitioners across the state. In doing so, we will improve wildlife habitats and ensure future water security for humans.”
Figure 4. Beaver dam locations based on 2020 NAIP imagery-based New Mexico statewide beaver dam census by HUC8
watershed. New Mexico consists of 85 HUC8s with 33 entirely within the state and 52 with portions in surrounding states.
Using aerial imagery data, Utah State University researchers mapped 4,732 beaver dams across more than 13,000 miles of year-round streams in New Mexico. The study found areas with high concentrations of beaver dams that require protection to preserve and improve existing water levels, as well as areas that could benefit from beaver habitat restoration, co-existence and/or reintroduction efforts. Notably, researchers documented a stark difference in beaver dam numbers between northern and southern New Mexico, with alarmingly fewer dams found in the Gila and Sacramento Mountains.
Private lands had the largest proportion of the perennial stream network and the highest number of dams, illustrating the importance of working with private landowners to achieve successful beaver-based conservation and restoration.
Learn more about Defenders of Wildlife work on beavers.
For nearly 80 years, Defenders of Wildlife has worked to protect and restore America’s wildlife at risk of extinction, advancing a vision of a future in which wildlife thrives, sustained by broad public support and a resilient network of healthy lands and waters. With a network of more than 2 million supporters, Defenders is an advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard wildlife for generations to come. To learn more, please visit https://defenders.org/newsroom or follow us on Instagram @defendersofwildlife.
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