KNOWLEDGE BASE

This study aimed to work out how and why willow populations had changed over the 20th century in Yellowstone National Park, USA. The researchers propose that eliminating the wolf led to elk outcompeting the beavers. As beaver dams were no longer maintained, water levels reduced and rivers begun to dig deeper into the land in a process called incision. These two changes made it more challenging for willow to grow. This change in geology means that, even with wolf populations returning, it may not be easy to restore the previous ecosystem functions without addressing these underlying hydrological shifts.

This text proposes three hypotheses to explain the successful invasion of North American beavers across Tierra del Fuego, Chile. One is that they lack natural enemies, another is that there are available resources, and the third is that they create the conditions they need to survive. This last point is supported by the observation that beaver population density is higher where beavers have modified the habitat more. Please note, this paper is mostly written in Spanish.

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 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.