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
Restoring wetland biodiversity using research: Whole‐community facilitation by beaver as framework
Published by: Aquatic Conservation: Marine & Freshwater Ecosystems
17th March 2020
Beavers play a crucial role in wetland restoration by flooding areas. In Finland, several studies have demonstrated how this benefits birds such as the teal. This article looks at how that research has impacted on the ability of wildlife management authorities to support beaver restoration. It finds that the research has been useful across both public and private sectors, and has also inspired man-made wetlands in urban areas where beavers may not be able to survive.
Conflicts over wildlife conservation: Learning from the reintroduction of beavers in Scotland
Published by: People and Nature
10th March 2020
This paper examined conflicts surrounding beaver reintroductions by contrasting planned and unplanned reintroductions in different parts of Scotland. It found that conflicts depend on the reintroduction process, stakeholder relationships, and local people's perceptions of beavers and the local landscape. To avoid conflicts in future reintroductions, the article emphasised the need for conservation plans to be based on inclusive discussions with all stakeholders.
Not all ponds are created equal: long-term beaver (Castor canadensis) lodge occupancy in a heterogeneous landscape
Published by: Canadian Journal of Zoology
6th March 2020
This study explores how beavers choose where to make their homes, a complex task given that beavers change the landscapes they live in - so the features that appeal to a beaver pre-settlement may not be ones that remain whilst they live there. Using data from an 11-year period, the results showed that strong predictors of beaver settlement included: pond area, percentage of grassland area, and distance to active ponds. The landscape's steepness was also important, and this was the only feature not influenced by the beavers themselves. Please note, this resource is not open-access.
Eurasian population and distribution: the past, present and future
Published by: BeaverCON 2020
3rd March 2020
This presentation takes the viewer through a visual history of the Eurasian beaver, from the ancient past through the middle ages to the present day and beyond. Whilst designed to be presented at a conference, as a collection of images, maps, charts, and notes - with further references included - this document is a fascinating insight into the forces and cultures that have shaped the populations of beaver over the centuries.
Ecology and movement of juvenile salmonids in beaver-influenced and beaver-free tributaries in the Trøndelag province of Norway
Published by: Ecology of Freshwater Fish
26th February 2020
In this article, researchers report on the impact of beavers on Atlantic salmon and trout in Norway. Beaver dams didn't significantly affect habitat, food resources, growth, or movement of the fish. In beaver ponds, fewer juvenile fish were found, but fish were found both upstream and downstream of beaver dams. Overall, the impact on salmon and trout populations seems minimal.