A method of extracting water-soluble minerals from an arid location includes identifying or establishing a channel of flowing water at the arid location, and installing a mat containing seeds, and/or seedlings, and a super absorbent polymer (SAP). A perforated, transparent cover sheet is placed on or above the mat. Water is applied to the SAP, such that both edible and dam-constructing vegetation grows and matures from the mat. Beavers are introduced into the arid location, which eat the edible vegetation and use the dam-constructing vegetation to construct a dam that blocks the channel, thereby flooding a region proximate the channel. After the flood water has dissolved the minerals in the flooded region, it is drained and processed to extract the minerals. The drained water can be remotely processed, or directed to an evaporation pond, where the minerals remain while the water is evaporated, recaptured, and reintroduced into the channel.

A method of extracting water-soluble minerals from an arid location includes identifying or establishing a channel of flowing water at the arid location, and installing a mat containing seeds, and/or seedlings, and a super absorbent polymer (SAP). A perforated, transparent cover sheet is placed on or above the mat. Water is applied to the SAP, such that both edible and dam-constructing vegetation grows and matures from the mat. Beavers are introduced into the arid location, which eat the edible vegetation and use the dam-constructing vegetation to construct a dam that blocks the channel, thereby flooding a region proximate the channel. After the flood water has dissolved the minerals in the flooded region, it is drained and processed to extract the minerals. The drained water can be remotely processed, or directed to an evaporation pond, where the minerals remain while the water is evaporated, recaptured, and reintroduced into the channel.