I CANT BELIEVE AFTER READING THIS STORY THAT BRITAIN IS ALLOWING EUROPE BEEVERS INTO THE COUNTRY. THE EA IS CLEARING TRIBUTERIES SO THAT SALMON CAN MIGRATE UPSTREAM .Beevers build dams its just so stupid .
In response to the previous comment: Britain has a native beaver population, with native predators and diseases, unlike Chile. They are not comparable.
As for salmon: they deal with beaver dams just fine. Beaver ponds also improve salmon nursery habitat. (Spawning habitat is obviously different.) There are many studies from the northwestern U.S. showing the benefits of beavers to salmon and trout populations.
This paper is a comprehensive review if you want to read more: Hydrologic and Geomorphic Effects of Beaver Dams and Their Influence on Fishes; MM Pollock, M Heim, D Werner, D; American Fisheries Society Symposium Vol. 37. pp 213-233.
