KNOWLEDGE BASE

Between 2002 and 2004, feces from 62 beavers in the USA were tested for certain parasite species using microscopy and genetic analysis. The study showed that 6.4% of the beavers, all young ones, had these parasites.

The return of beavers to a National Park in the USA has led to an 89% increase in wetland habitats between 1944 and 1997. Beavers had converted forested areas to open water and wetlands, benefiting pond-breeding amphibians by providing more breeding sites. Beavers initially favoured larger, lower sites, but later on, beaver sites were smaller and higher up the river. Many were abandoned, creating a diverse habitat mosaic. Please note, this resource is not open-access.

One challenge of managing conflicts between humans and beavers is the fact that people's views vary and change over time. In the USA, after a law was passed banning certain beaver traps, surveys were carried out to understand public opinion. This article reports on these surveys. Overall, people had positive views of beavers but those who had had negative experiences with beavers held less favourable views. The authors suggest that conservation efforts should be responsive to changing public attitudes. Please note, this resource is not open-access.

This article presents a study of fish communities in Canada. Different variables are tested to see how they influence the presence of different fish species. Beaver dams are shown to be very influential. Walleye and lake whitefish are linked with the absence of beaver dams, while northern pike are associated with their presence. Altitude, longitude, and predation, also play important roles.

Fossil remains of beavers were found in lignite sediments in Italy, dating back around 3 million years. Based on analyses of the beavers' teeth, researchers had been debating what species of beaver these remains belonged to. This study compared these fossils with others and also modern Eurasian beaver populations. The results suggested that the fossils belonged to a different subspecies to modern Eurasian beaver populations. Please note, this resource is not open-access.