ZOOGEOMORPHIC ASSESSMENT OF AN ABANDONED BEAVER COLONY: CHEW-STUMP TAPHONOMY AND RECOGNITION POTENTIAL

This study focuses on zoogeomorphic assessment of an abandoned North American beaver (Castor canadensis) colony along a vernal wetland of Neshaminy Creek (Tyler State Park, Pennsylvania). A previous study (fall 2019) identified fresh beaver-chewed stumps along the base of a steep west-facing slope, as well as an active lodge within the wetland. Our research (fall 2023) indicates that within four years this site has been abandoned, with no lodge present. At least two previously unidentified stumps show high degree of weathering, suggesting at least several years of age. A smaller is a sapling (diameter: 2.5 cm), whereas the larger (10.4 cm) belonged to a young tree. The treefall directions, based on azimuth of the slanted cut cone, were westerly, toward the wetland. Some of the sawed off 2019 stump remnants located using GPS showed fungal overgrowth, whereas un-sampled stumps had new growth that masked the chew cone. This study underscores the need for revisiting active beaver activity sites in order to assess the preservation and recognition potential of zoogeomorphic elements.