By Mathilde Lapointe St-Pierre, Wildlife Biologist, Nunavik Research Centre and Mikhaela Neelin, RNUK director, in collaboration with community members

Arctic landscapes are being transformed by climate change, and one clear example is the shrubification of the tundra. This environmental shift is allowing some species, such as beavers, to expand their territory further north. Over the last two decades, they have been increasingly observed above the treeline, in low tundra environments. While their impacts in southern regions are well-documented, their presence in the tundra raises concerns due to the unknown effects on rivers, fish populations, and subsistence species. In Alaska and the Northwest Territories, beavers have been linked to permafrost thaw and freshwater degradation, although they have also been shown to improve habitats for species like salmon and moose. Studying beaver expansion in Nunavik is critical to understanding its impact on harvested species and public health, as the effects on aquatic ecosystems, especially on brook trout and Arctic char, remain largely unknown.

Nunavimmiut have observed a noticeable increase in beaver populations further north than ever before. Although beaver trapping has a long history in some areas, sightings near communities like Aupaluk are more recent, signaling a significant shift in their range. This article summarizes the research conducted over the past four years in Nunavik. The Nunavik Research Centre, in collaboration with Anguvigaq, has been studying the expansion of beaver dams. This article provides a brief overview of several projects initiated to address concerns about beaver expansion.

Beaver Dam Surveys

In September 2024, a helicopter survey was conducted to monitor beaver dams around Aupalu, Tasiujaq, up to the southern part of the Payne River. The survey revisited most of the sites and transects surveyed in 2019 (approximately 50 locations), which were initially identified through local knowledge. After five years, the transects that showed no signs of beaver activity in 2019 continued to show no activity. Local experts from Tasiujaq and Aupaluk, along with members of the Kuujjuaq Niqliit Board participated in the surveys (Willie Cain, George Eetook, Emma Cain, and George Peters). Over the past five years, there has been limited expansion of beavers in the region, with activity observed at only three sites south of Tasiujaq. However, new signs of beaver activity were detected around Tasiujaq, as these animals are highly dynamic and capable of building new systems rapidly.

Additionally, a survey conducted in collaboration with Nunavik Parks in Tursujuq Park during the summers of 2023 and 2024 identified 15 dams around Lake Tasiujaq. The objective of Nunavik Parks is to monitor the persistence of these dams over time. The Nunavik Research Centre (NRC) and Nunavik Parks staff and Umiujaq LNUK manager Eddie Qumaluk, were involved in this project.

Ecological Impacts of Beaver Dams on Streams

Another project led by the NRC focuses on the ecological impacts of beaver dams on aquatic systems, particularly whether these structures negatively affect Arctic char and brook trout populations. To investigate this, 20 sites were sampled over two summers: 11 around Tasiujaq and nine near Kuujjuaq. Samples of fish, vegetation, and invertebrates were collected. The study will assess various water parameters (pH, temperature, turbidity, etc.), contaminants (such as mercury), and wildlife diseases (e.g., Giardia). The analysis will also examine the invertebrate communities to determine whether preferred prey species are present in beaver ponds, providing insights into whether these habitats remain viable for species like Arctic char.

Brook trout and Arctic char are opportunistic feeders, and understanding their response to changes in their habitat is crucial. Over the two years of sampling, various species, including Arctic char, brook trout, slimy sculpins, longnose dace, stickleback, and lake chub, were collected.

Arctic Beaver Observation Network

The team has been involved with the Arctic Beaver Observation Network since its creation. This group meets annually to discuss research, management strategies, and community concerns related to the expansion of beavers in the Arctic. In February 2024, a meeting was held in Fairbanks, Alaska, to present ongoing projects and establish new partnerships. Researchers and community members from Alaska, the Inuvialuit region, and Scandinavia participated. Eddie Qumaluk and Jack Niviaxie also attended to share concerns about the beaver expansion along the Hudson Coast.

Future Steps

Efforts to address concerns about beaver dam expansion in Nunavik will continue through the winter. Planned activities include interviews with local experts to revisit concerns raised in 2019. Additionally, a workshop will be organized in Kuujjuaq to exchange knowledge with Cree communities on how to manage beaver populations effectively. A strategy to manage the expansion of beavers in Nunavik will be developed, and the results of the contaminant analysis and invertebrate community study are expected to be presented in spring 2025.

The ongoing research into beaver expansion in Nunavik not only addresses local ecological and public health concerns but also contributes to a broader understanding of how climate change is transforming Arctic ecosystems. Continued collaboration with local communities and consistent monitoring will be essential to managing beaver populations and ensuring sustainable coexistence with critical species like Arctic char and brook trout.

You can contribute to our research by using the SIKU app to record observations of beaver activity in Nunavik, by tagging the “Arctic Beaver Project.”