Beavers are expanding into Canada’s Arctic and changing the landscape

Beavers who are normally found in forests and woodlands, are steadily moving farther north into the Canadian Arctic. A new study has found out when they reached different parts of the Arctic by studying scars on shrubs and comparing them with satellite images showing changes in water bodies.The study, published in the journal Ecosphere, focused on a remote region in Canada's Northwest Territories, Science X reported. Researchers combined two methods including tree-ring analysis, known as dendrochronology, and satellite observations to build a timeline of their activity.The findings suggest that North American beavers (Castor canadensis) began colonising parts of the area in 2008. Researchers say this approach could help scientists understand how wildlife is spreading into regions where there are few long-term records and could also help monitor environmental change.Beavers are changing Arctic Beavers are often described as ecosystem engineers because they can reshape the places where they live.