KNOWLEDGE BASE

In this text, researchers analyse perspectives held by humans downstream of a site where beavers have been introduced to help with managing flood risk in England. The results describe a variety of feelings and narratives, ranging from concern to excitement, and relating to different aspects of the reintroduction. The text emphasises the need to understand diverse community perspectives in beaver reintroductions and advocates for specific areas of research relating to peoples' concerns.

Exploring the experiences of steering group members in a Eurasian beaver project, this research aims to identify how governance of coexistence with reintroduced species may differ from the governance of coexistence with species that are already present in the landscape.
A series of lessons in six key areas were identified, and the paper advocates for reflective evaluation as an essential component of reintroduction projects to enable knowledge-sharing from experiences, leading to improved practices in the future.
The term ‘Renewed Coexistence’ was identified and defined, drawing on pre-existing coexistence knowledge but identifies the unique elements that relate to governing coexistence with reintroduced species.

Process-based restoration of rivers allows ecosystems to recover naturally. This paper proposes four criteria to enable people to assess if a restoration project aligns with this approach. The criteria relate to: restoring natural processes and connectivity, using natural energy, using native materials, and considering time and adaptive management for long-term recovery. Beavers and their dams are cited throughout as examples of natural allies in this type of restoration work, given that they use natural energy, local materials, and are good at increasing habitat connectivity.

Researchers tested whether Eurasian beavers' foraging habits differed according to sex. By following the activities of 41 beavers in Norway, they found that, while males and females spend similar amounts of time foraging overall, females spend more time in the lodge during spring and eat more aquatic vegetation. Males tend to eat more shrubs and trees throughout the year. These differences may help beavers adapt to the needs of reproductive cycles.

This paper describes the use of radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology to monitor beavers. RFID involves using fixed antennae to detect beavers based on microchips implanted, in this case, on their neck. At this site, RFID allowed researchers to monitor beavers without trapping them. For example, they were able to see when beavers were coming in and out of their lodges and dens. Some limitations of this method are also described in the paper.