Welcome to the interactive web schedule for the 2019 Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference! Please note, this event has passed. To return to the main Conference website, go to: www.midwestfw.org.
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CONFERENCE SCHEDULE UPDATES & CHANGES: As a result of the prolonged government shutdown, we experienced a number of cancellations and changes to the schedule. Cancellations and changes are listed here (as of January 26, 2019).
AUTHORS: Troy Zorn, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division
ABSTRACT: Most published studies do not provide a complete understanding of the effects of beavers on trout populations and streams. Results often vary by location, with some studies characterizing beavers as beneficial to trout populations and others indicating beavers are harmful. Drawing on case studies throughout the Midwest and North America, I will attempt to explain what underlies these seemingly contradictory findings. For example, groundwater availability and inputs drive many Midwestern trout streams, and a thorough understanding of these processes is critical for understanding how beaver dams will affect trout populations. Understanding the factors that shape trout streams in other regions will provide the context needed for interpreting an array of studies examining beaver-trout relationships and will enable managers to better predict how beavers might affect trout streams in their region.