EVALUATING PROCESS-BASED RESTORATION TECHNIQUES FOR STREAMBANK EROSION: A COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF BEAVER DAM ANALOGS AND LIVE STAKING

Stream erosion is a natural geomorphic process within watersheds, but human activities—such as land use changes, urbanization, and infrastructure development—have significantly accelerated erosion rates. These stressors alter sediment transport, exacerbate streambank instability, and contribute to habitat loss and degraded water quality. To address these challenges, cost-effective, process-based restoration techniques like beaver dam analogs (BDAs) and live staking in riparian areas offer promising solutions to address erosion and sediment dynamics—core areas of geoscience research. BDAs mimic natural beaver dams by reducing water flow velocity, promoting sediment retention, and enhancing riparian vegetation, contributing to stream stability. Whereas live staking involves planting dormant cuttings of native plants to stabilize streambanks over time as root systems develop, linking biological processes with geomorphic recovery. We evaluate the cost-benefit aspects of BDAs and live staking, focusing on their impacts on sediment retention, water flow, and riparian vegetation. A literature review, cost-benefit analysis (CBA), and sensitivity analysis were used to quantify ecosystem benefits—such as improved water quality, flood prevention, and biodiversity—relative to implementation and maintenance costs. Findings from the CBA suggest that BDAs provide immediate geomorphic benefits, particularly in sediment retention and water flow reduction, but involve higher initial costs and structural risks. Live staking, while cost-effective, delivers gradual, long-term stabilization and biodiversity gains but faces challenges such as high plant mortality. Both systems require ongoing maintenance. By comparing these, this study highlights the role of process-based approaches in addressing geomorphic and ecological challenges. The results provide a framework to inform geoscientists and decision-makers on selecting effective, sustainable solutions that balance economic feasibility with long-term watershed resilience.