KNOWLEDGE BASE

Elk can damage plant populations by over-eating. Fences to protect certain areas work by excluding other animals but the exclusion of all mammals may not always be needed to allow plants to recover. This article reports on a new fence design which excludes elk but allows access for other species like deer and beavers. The new fence was successful, keeping out elk (and cattle) but allowing access for other mammals including beavers. Aspen trees protected by this fence ended up growing taller over a 2-year period.

Researchers assessed the co-existence of salmon, sea trout, and beavers by analysing which areas of a Norwegian river system they all used. They also surveyed local landowners. They found that while beavers occupied some spawning areas, they only hindered a small portion of fish reproduction. Most landowners welcomed beavers alongside fish. Overall, they conclude that beavers are unlikely to significantly harm salmon and sea trout reproduction in similar areas.

This text describes how landslides - often overlooked - have an important role in maintaining biodiversity. Landslides create completely new landscapes and soil conditions. They can interact with other disturbances like fire and avalanches. Animals like beavers often colonise landslide areas, using the debris and new landscape to build dams and and increase habitat diversity.

This article summarises efforts to reintroduce beavers to Britain, some of the sources of human-beaver conflict, and the potential beavers have to the environment, including in supporting climate adaptation efforts. Please note, this resource is not open-access.

This article summarises efforts to reintroduce beavers to Britain, some of the common misconceptions about beavers, and the ecological role that beavers play. Please note, this resource is not open-access.