NASA Data Shows How Beavers Can Help Fight Climate Change

Beavers are known for their engineering skills, building dams and lodges out of sticks, mud, and rocks. But these industrious rodents also have a surprising talent for fighting climate change.

A new study using data from NASA satellites has found that beaver dams can help to store water, reduce flooding, and improve water quality. This can help to mitigate the effects of climate change, which is causing more extreme weather events such as droughts and floods.

The study, published in the journal Nature, found that beaver dams can store an average of 1.3 million gallons of water per acre. This water can help to keep streams flowing during dry periods, reducing the risk of flooding. The dams can also help to filter pollutants from the water, improving water quality.

In addition, beaver dams create wetlands, which provide habitat for a variety of plants and animals. Wetlands can also help to store carbon, which helps to mitigate climate change.

The study's authors say that beavers could play an important role in helping to adapt to climate change. They recommend that we consider restoring beaver populations in areas where they have been extirpated.