Beaver Habitat Characteristics:

• Use of woody plants in construction of beaver dams in Northern Ontario - by D.M. Barnes: Results on a study to determine any preference in their choice of woody plants in building their dams. Article specific to the Ontario region (Canadian Journal of Zoology, 1996).
• Habitat factors influencing beaver dam establishment in a northern Ontario watershed - by D.M. Barnes: Article focusing on habitat factors that influence dam establishment. A comparison of nine plant categories and their spatial distribution with physical features is presented (Journal of Wildlife Management, 1996).
• Optimal central-place foraging by beavers: Tree-size selection in relation to defensive chemicals of Quaking aspen - by John M Basey et al: Discussion on the selection criteria of beavers for specifically sized quaking aspen. Specifically focuses on chemical defenses in young trees and the affects on the beaver/quaking aspen relationship (Oecologia, 1988).
• Fairfax County Stewardship: Beaver - by Fairfax County Stewardship
• Beavers: Nature's Engineers - by Philpott Lake
• Selection of in-stream wood structures by beaver in the Bear River, Southwest Washington - by James MacCracken: The study found that structures used by beaver were in unconfined channels, farther from other logjams, closer to deep pools and bank dens, in wider floodplains, and with less steep hillsides. (Northwest Naturalist, 2005)
• Factors Influencing Beaver Lodge - site Selection on a Prairie River - by Charles D. Dieter and Thomas R. McCabe: Beavers select the location for their lodges based off of the slope of the riverbank as well as horizontal vegetation cover (American Midland Naturalist, 1989). 
• Beaver Food Utilization Studies - by Shaler E. Aldous: The study found that Aspen is the most important food source although 64% is wasted, the greatest waste occurring in trees between 4 and 6 inches, and beavers consume between 22 and 33 ounces of aspen bark and twigs daily (Journal of Wildlife Management, 1938). 
  
• Sizes of Wood Cuttings Handled by Beaver - by Albert R. Shadle: The longest  piece of wood handled by beavers in this study was a 247 inch sugar maple, while the largest in width was a 6.37 inch diameter aspen log (American Midland Naturalist, 1954).  
• Comparison of Tree Cuttings of Six Beaver Colonies in Allegany State Park, New York - by Shadle, Nauth, Gese, and Austin: It was found that out of the 17 genera of trees that were cut for food, construction, and repair, 2 general furnished 56.9% of the cuttings, the importance of "availability" being prominent (Journal of Mammalogy, 1943).
• Biophysical interactions and the structure and dynamics of riverine ecosystems: the importance of biotic feedbacks - by Robert Naiman: Many different elements, including geomorphologic, hydrologic and biologic agents have an effect on riparian ecosystems (Hydrobiologia 2000).
• Willow and Aspen in the Ecology of Beaver on Sagehen Creek, California- by Joseph G. Hall: The study found that the rate at which beaver cut aspen correlated directly with the supply, aspen being the first choice item and willow being the second (Ecological Society of America, 1960).  
• Utilization of Woody Plants by Beavers in Northeastern Ohio - by Dale B. Henry and Theodore A. Bookhout: Aspen, Willow, Serviceberry, and Dogwood were most frequently utilized in the 2 study areas; however, the amount of utilization is sometimes dependent upon other factors besides most preferred, such as relative availability and stem diameters of species present, distance of plants from water, and immediate topography of the area (The Ohio Journal of Science, 1970). 
• A Stream Habitat Classification System for Beaver - by Rebecca J. Howard and Joseph S. Larson: The study found that among other variables, in mixed coniferous-deciduous forest habitat, the percentage of hardwood vegetation, watershed size, and stream width had significant positive effects on active colony density (Journal of Wildlife Management, 1985). 
• Beaver Food Utilization Studies - by Shaler E. Aldous: A study to determine the tree species needed to sustain a healthy beaver population found that Aspen is the most important tree to beaver, and they only use 36% of their cuttings, with most of the waste occurring in trees between 4 and 6 inches in diameter (Journal of Wildlife and Management, 1938). 
• Black Gore Creek Beaver Dam Survey III - by Louthan, Nordberg, L. Paxson, and T. Paxson: In this PowerPoint, a survey of the beaver dams along Black Gore Creek shows that the majority of new dams are built at lower elevations, and overall, life along the creek has improved since 2006.