KNOWLEDGE BASE

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.

This book recounts the history of wildlife conservation from the 19th century to today's global movement. It explores the legacy of big game hunting, battles for national parks, and debates on sustainable wildlife use. The over-hunting of beavers is mentioned as having moved President Roosevelt in the earliest days of the National Parks movement in the USA. Please note, this resource is not open-access.

Woody debris in rivers can provide important habitat, on the one hand, and increase flood risk, on the other. This study examined woody debris on the Rhône river in France. Most wood came from natural sources, with 83% broken or cut by beavers. The results also showed that more frequent floods led to more woody debris on the river. The larger pieces of wood (diameter >12.5cm) were mostly human-cut. Please note, this resource is not open-access.

This study preceded the trial reintroduction of beavers to Scotland. Predictions of their impact had been made based on data from other European countries. This study aimed to improve those predictions by examining beavers in captivity in Eastern Scotland. The first year of monitoring showed that willow trees were most favored for felling, with alder and birch also affected. The study also presents data on beavers' preferences for tree size and location, as well as the rate at which they felled trees.

In this study, scientists researched the behaviour and habitat of a fish species called the Salish Sucker in British Colombia, Canada. One of their findings was that this species rarely crossed beaver dams.