KNOWLEDGE BASE

This study involved radio-tracking ten pairs of Eurasian beavers to understand how their territories and patterns of movement varied between pairs and their neighbours. Beavers in pairs showed similar territory sizes and movement patterns regardless of sex. The territory for each member of the pair overlapped a lot, and overlapped very little with their neighbours. Both sexes spent equal time at the borders of their territory, although males tended to move more at night.

Researchers found that beavers preferentially cut down cottonwood trees over invasive species like Russian olive and tamarisk. They focus their foraging near river channels, creating sunny areas that promote the growth of the invasive species, leading to faster growth. The researchers warn that those wishing to reintroduce beavers along these rivers in Montana, USA, should consider the potential effect on invasive plant species.

Researchers studied how beavers affect vegetation, small mammals, and amphibians. They compared stretches of 5 streams in Oregon, USA - some occupied by beavers and some unoccupied. They found that beaver-influenced areas of the streams had more diverse plant life and had a higher presence of certain mammalian species. Please note, this resource is not open-access.

This study describes the Eurasian beaver's return to Luxembourg. Researchers describe beaver activity along a river between 2000 and 2002, demonstrating a preference for cutting willow trees, especially those which are small and close to the water. This matches findings in other places and shows the importance of riverside plants for beaver conservation.

The last century of environmental changes in Nova Scotia is described, drawing on literature, community knowledge, and personal experience. The complex interactions of disease, human activity, and animal expansion are set out. The restoration of beavers is considered one of the major events of this history.