Aspen Bibliography

Aspen utilization by beaver (Castor canadensis) in northern Wisconsin

R.B. Johnson

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Transactions of the Wisconsin Academy of Sciences Arts and Letters

Volume

71

Issue

2

First Page

82

Last Page

86

Publication Date

1983

Abstract

Aspen utilization by beaver (Castor canadensis) in northern Wisconsin. A quantitative survey of the feeding relationships of beaver at two ponds showed quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) was the main food. Approximately 44 g/day (dry wt) of aspen inner bark were eaten by each adult beaver. Mixed coniferous/deciduous forest, with ample aspen, birch and willow, existed at both sites. The relationship between tree size cut and the amount of inner bark utilized was also examined. It was found that 1) proportionally more inner bark remained unutilized in larger trees which were cut, 2) generally, trees 3 to 5 in. in diameter were most likely to lodge in other trees when felled and thus remain unutilized, 3) approximately 9 to 12% of the available food from cut aspen was unutilized at each site.

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