KNOWLEDGE BASE

The concept of "nature-based solutions" (NbS) is gaining popularity. However, it is battling with its own eurocentricity and there is confusion about its benefits for sustainability. This paper compares the varying definitions by groups like IUCN and the European Commission, and tries to create a common set of NbS principles. The paper cites the beaver trials in both England and Scotland as examples of NbS in action. Please note, this resource is not open-access.

This study compared the fatty acid composition of muscle tissues in pregnant beavers and their foetuses. Foetuses had higher levels of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids but lower polyunsaturated fatty acids. The text discusses what role these different chemicals may have during the baby beavers' development.

This text presented the results of a beaver monitoring process in the Penza region of Russia. Beaver numbers decreased from 42 to 30 due to limited food resources, but still had been busy - building 7-8 dams per km of river across the study area. The text discussed this population's activity and prospects in detail.

This text describes some of the key aspects of rewilding, from impacts on biodiversity to those on climate change, as well as a number of practical topics. Beavers are mentioned as a common feature of rewilding projects - often reintroduced for their biodiversity benefits at multiple scales.

Ecosystem engineers, like beavers, shape the habitats around them but this study shows that they contribute to biodiversity in more ways than just the type of habitat they create. By comparing active beaver ponds with other wetlands in Sweden, researchers found that beaver ponds supported more plants and more beetles. The plants were from more diverse species, too. As the researchers say: "while anyone can make a pond there is only one way to make a beaver pond."