Science database
KNOWLEDGE BASE
We have gathered decades of scientific research from Great Britain, continental Europe and North America to share with people interested in diving deeper into the world of beavers.
This list of resources is being constantly amended and updated.
Showing 774 articles
The application of environmental ethics in biological conservation: a case study from the southernmost tip of the Americas
Published by: Biodiversity & Conservation
1st August 2007
Conservation isn't just about science—it's also about values. This article uses the case of managing invasive populations of beaver in Chile to explore how environmental ethics can shape conservation decisions. They use human-centred and life-centred ethical approaches to assess management options including: eradicating, controlling, tolerating, or promoting beavers. Ethical discussions help clarify arguments, but don't replace the need for scientific data. Different ethical theories may lead to different conclusions about the best course of action.
Unequal summer use of beaver ponds by river otters : influence of beaver activity, pond size, and vegetation cover
Published by: Canadian Journal of Zoology
21st July 2007
River otters and beavers share freshwater habitats, though little research has tried to understand their relationship. Here, scientists conducted a study in a Canadian National Park to do just this. They found that otters preferred ponds currently inhabitated by beavers, particularly ponds which were bigger and had more plant cover. These ponds provide otters with prey and shelter. This suggests that beavers' habits of moving from pond to pond will likely affect otters' habitat patterns.
Detection of Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica in a European brown hare (Lepus europaeus) in Thuringia, Germany
Published by: Veterinary Microbiology
20th July 2007
A bacterium which causes an infectious disease was detected in a brown hare from an area of Germany called Thuringia for the first time. Beavers are among the animals known to be the main carriers of this bacterium. The text discusses the implications of this finding for human public health. Please note, this resource is not open-access.
Geomorphic changes upstream of beaver dams in Bridge Creek, an incised stream channel in the interior Columbia River basin, eastern Oregon
Published by: Earth Surface Processes and Landforms
9th July 2007
This study gathered evidence that encouraging beaver expansion can help with river restoration where the stream channel has undergone 'incision' - or dug deeper into the ground. This is a common issue in drier regions. Scientists measured how quickly and for how long sediment built up behind beaver dams in the USA. They also measured the impact on vegetation in these areas.
A beaver’s tale
Published by: Current Biology
3rd July 2007
This article briefly summarises the recent history of beaver reintroductions in Europe. From only 1,200 individuals at the 19th century, around 600,000 beavers now exist in Europe. This benefits ecosystems and economies through wildlife tourism. The author highlights how public engagement has been a feature of several re-introduction programmes to help foster positive attitudes towards beavers.