North American Beaver

tree

Primary food source; bark, twigs, and cambium harvested year-round; wood used for dam and lodge construction

perennial herb

creates and maintains wetland habitat structure through dam building that enhances sedge productivity

tree

preferred food and construction material; critical resource in California riparian restoration

shrub

Stems for dam construction and food, year-round availability

shrub

Bark and stem browsing and feeding

perennial herb

subsidiary aquatic vegetation in beaver-modified wetlands and pond margins

tree

Preferred food and construction material; critical riparian resource

shrub

Preferred browse and bark; used for dam construction and food; riparian populations depend on this species

perennial herb

Spring herbaceous vegetation consumed alongside woody vegetation

perennial herb

Browse stems and shoots for bark; more important in winter

perennial herb

supplemental forage when primary willow unavailable; dam and lodge construction