Mitigating infrastructure loss from beaver flooding
A cost–benefit analysis
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15326697 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Glynnis A Hood (0000-0001-7431-879X, University of Alberta, corresponding author), Varghese Manaloor (University of Alberta), Brendan Dzioba (University of Alberta) |
| Year | 2017 |
| Volume | 23 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 146-159 |
| Publication date | 2017-12-08 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Human Dimensions of Wildlife (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1087-1209 • E-ISSN: 1533-158X |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/10871209.2017.1402223 |
| OpenAlex | W2773889255 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 26 |
We installed 12 pond levelers to counter flooding by beavers and developed a cost–benefit analysis for these sites in Alberta, Canada. We also documented beaver management approaches throughout Alberta. Over 3 years, one site required regular maintenance until we designed a modified pond leveler; another required minor modifications. Others required almost no maintenance. Based on a “willingness-to-pay” (WTP) of $0 and discount rate of 3%, installing pond levelers resulted in a present value net benefit of $81,519 over 3 years and $179,440 over 7 years. Scenarios incorporating discount rates of 3% and 7%, horizons of either 3 or 7 years, and varying WTPs resulted in significant net benefits. Provincially, municipalities employed up to seven methods to control beavers: most commonly lethal control and dam removal. Total annual costs provided by 48 municipalities and 4 provincial parks districts were $3,139,223; however, cost-accounting was sometimes incomplete, which makes this a conservative estimate
Beaver · Business · Cost–benefit analysis · Discounting · Economics · Environmental resource management · Flooding (psychology · Geography · Net present value · Production (economics · Willingness to pay · Botany and Plant Ecology Studies · Ecology and biodiversity studies · Environmental Science · Peatlands and Wetlands Ecology · Ecology · Finance
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2025 - 2025 (1) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |