Design and implementation of a long-term monitoring program associated with beaver control efforts at Karukinka, Tierra del Fuego Island, Chile

CHRISTOPHER B. ANDERSON

2006-04-01/2006-04-30

1-57

Biológica

Medio terrestre-Conservacion

This report synthesizes the current information available about the impacts of beavers in both their native (North America) and introduced (South America) ranges. To do that, I have taken advantage of the extensive literature accumulated in the past five years of my own personal investigation of the ecology of exotic beavers in the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve, which has allowed the following recommendations to address concerns at Karukinka as well as maintain a focus on broader questions of ecological relevance regarding the role of invasive species in subantarctic ecosystems. I have arranged the report as follows: 1) each section is divided based on the topic of interest for monitoring – General context, Riparian habitat and Aquatic ecosystems, 2) within each section I address studies that have assessed the impact of beavers in native and non-native habitats and 3) conclude each section with recommendations and expected outcomes for Karukinka’s own recovery and monitoring initiative. In outlining the recommendations, I have endeavored to keep two points in mind: a) proposing something that is tractable and feasible in a long-term context at a remote site and b) relevance to both Karukinka’s goals and broader ecological questions. For each section, I therefore propose from three to six measures that are most relevant to fit the monitoring criteria for each topic of interest. Finally, I will mention that I think we all view this collaboration between Omora and Karukinka as a long-term one.This preliminary report is meant to be a part of that process, and its future modification and improvement will be another step, as we both work together to understand and protect these amazing landscapes of the austral extreme.