Beaver: Nature's ecosystem engineers

Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews Water, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 8(1)

Published: Nov. 27, 2020

Abstract Beavers have the ability to modify ecosystems profoundly meet their ecological needs, with significant associated hydrological, geomorphological, ecological, and societal impacts. To bring together understanding of role that beavers may play in management water resources, freshwater, terrestrial ecosystems, this article reviews state‐of‐the‐art scientific beaver as quintessential ecosystem engineer. This review has a European focus but examines key research considering both Castor fiber —the Eurasian canadensis —its North American counterpart. In recent decades species reintroductions across Europe, concurrent natural expansion refugia populations led return C. much its range estimating population Europe numbers over 1.5 million individuals. As such, there is an increasing need for impacts intensively populated managed, contemporary landscapes. summarizes how impact: (a) structure geomorphology, (b) hydrology (c) quality, (d) freshwater ecology, (e) humans society. It concludes by examining future considerations be resolved further expand northern hemisphere emphasis upon services they can provide will necessary maximize benefits minimize conflicts. categorized under: Water Life > Nature Freshwater Ecosystems

Language: Английский

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Threats, biodiversity drivers and restoration in temperate floodplain forests related to spatial scales

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 854, P. 158743 - 158743

Published: Sept. 13, 2022

Floodplain forests offer a diversity of habitats and resources for very wide range plant animal species. They also many benefits to humankind are considered essential the mitigation effects climate change. Nevertheless, throughout world they suffering most intense anthropogenic pressures so are, all ecosystems, among endangered. Here, we bring together synthesise existing ecological understanding mechanisms underlying high heterogeneity temperate floodplain threatening their biological value due habitat homogenisation. depend on periodic disturbances under which evolved, including fluvial dynamics, traditional management practices activities herbivores. However, have been heavily degraded by change, invasion exotic species, river-flow regulation, landscape fragmentation, eutrophication cessation management. We can now observe two general trends in forests: (1) Due intensive exploitation, more open thus prone spread competitive invasive exotics (2) management, along with modified hydrological conditions, composed species later successional stages (i.e., shade-tolerant mesic) while light-demanding quickly vanishing. Restoration brought about contrasting results when restoration floodplains natural states has problematic. This is likely because interplay between various artificial processes not previously taken into proper consideration. would like draw attention fact that projects or preservation forest ecosystems should combine watercourses other important threats acting at different scales (spread watersheds inappropriate management).

Language: Английский

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Wildlife tourism in reintroduction projects: Exploring social and economic benefits of beaver in local settings

Journal for Nature Conservation, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 58, P. 125920 - 125920

Published: Nov. 2, 2020

Wildlife reintroduction projects are required to account for social and economic factors. tourism is often cited as a benefit of reintroduction, so an understanding whether how this manifests required. Through case study village in the catchment live project (Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) England) we reveal reintroduced species has local business, but scale dependent upon business initiatives that take opportunity (eg merchandise, marketing etc.). We suggest practitioners should actively encourage businesses maximise opportunities, especially where reason reintroduce. recommend further research into benefits remain long-term, speculate some value will persist. Finally, recognise reintroduction-related wildlife may interact with other issues, seeing or signs its activity can produce positive emotional responses.

Language: Английский

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Beaver creates early successional hotspots for water beetles

Biodiversity and Conservation, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 30(10), P. 2655 - 2670

Published: June 4, 2021

Abstract Beavers ( Castor spp.) are ecosystem engineers that induce local disturbance and ecological succession, which turns terrestrial into aquatic ecosystems creates habitat heterogeneity in a landscape. have been proposed as tool for biodiversity conservation restoration. So far, most research has compared beaver wetlands non-beaver wetlands, but few studies explored how beaver-created succession affects specific taxa. In this study, we investigated water beetles responded to different successional stages of beaver-disturbed landscape at Evo southern Finland. We sampled with 1-L activity traps 20 ponds, including: 5 new old former never engineered ponds. found had higher species richness abundance than could support (321%) (671%) wetlands. think beetle diversity ponds resulted from amelioration (available lentic water, shallow shores, vegetation, low fish abundance) food source enhancement (an increase both dead live prey) created by dams floods. conclude using beavers tool, or imitating their way flooding, can be beneficial wetland restoration if population densities monitored ensure the availability newly colonizable sites.

Language: Английский

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Improving engagement in managing reintroduction conflicts: learning from beaver reintroduction

Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 64(10), P. 1713 - 1734

Published: Nov. 10, 2020

Social factors hold implications for the success or failure of wildlife reintroductions. Potential conflict issues may prevent projects from proceeding succeeding. The manner in which managers engage with affected people scenarios contribute toward escalation, so an understanding how to improve engagement is required. We conducted interviews individuals who reported conflicts beavers (Castor fiber) within case study a reintroduction trial England, called 'River Otter Beaver Trial'. Using qualitative thematic analysis, we identified five themes be considered when engaging beaver conflicts: (1) Proactive Engagement Fast Response; (2) Appropriate Communication; (3) Shared Decision-Making; (4) Sense that Humans are Responsible Conflicts Reintroduced Species; (5) A Need Certainty. conclude will likely improved, reduced potential, where these addressed.

Language: Английский

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Relics of beavers past: time and population density drive scale‐dependent patterns of ecosystem engineering

Ecography, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 2022(2)

Published: Dec. 28, 2021

Like many ecological processes, natural disturbances exhibit scale‐dependent dynamics that are largely a function of the magnitude, frequency and scale at which they assessed. Ecosystem engineers create patch‐scale affect yet we know little about how these effects across space or vary through time. Here, investigate patch by beavers Castor canadensis , ecosystem renowned for their pond‐creation behavior, processes We evaluated beaver population recovery influenced surface water in relation to density over 70 years multiple spatial scales (pond, watershed regional) northern Minnesota. Surface area was positively related scale; however, despite variation densities (and therefore area) scale, regional‐scale stable This stability appears have been driven asynchronous fluctuations among watersheds, combined with increasing importance abandoned ponds. Beavers initially created occupied larger ponds greater area, but time shifted towards occupying smaller As accumulated on landscape proportionally more stored within ponds, offset size Beaver engineering – density‐dependent mechanisms legacy from not only follows general patterns disturbance creating mosaic patches, organism‐created also generate scales. suggest restoring landscapes is viable method storage will ultimately help advance numerous conservation rewilding objectives. Our study demonstrates can be scale‐dependent, indicating researchers should evaluate impact diverse spatiotemporal fully understand functional roles ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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Re-establishing historic ecosystem links through targeted species reintroduction: Beaver-mediated wetlands support increased bat activity

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 951, P. 175661 - 175661

Published: Aug. 22, 2024

Despite the global significance of wetlands, conservation strategies often fall short in preserving these ecosystems due to failures incorporating processes that sustain ecosystem functioning, hydrological dynamics, ecological processes, and biodiversity wetlands. Nature-based solutions, such as reintroduction beavers, have emerged effective tools for promoting wetland restoration. Whilst impact beavers on restoration is well known, their broader influence health, particularly modifying habitats other species, remains inadequately understood. Here we assess habitat modification through has bat populations. There were significantly greater activity levels within beaver-modified multiple including higher 393 % Barbastella barbastellus 313 Plecotus spp.. Additionally, observed positive effects populations woodland surrounding certain taxa. In face escalating challenges posed by climate change loss, addressing loss necessitates a shift toward ecosystem-centric mitigation measures. Our study demonstrates keystone species like can re-establish historical facilitative links between aquatic terrestrial food webs, highlighting importance interventions fostering resilience sustainability entire ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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Beavers in lakes: a review of their ecosystem impact

Aquatic Ecology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 54(4), P. 1097 - 1120

Published: Aug. 31, 2020

Language: Английский

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Eurasian beaver – A semi-aquatic ecosystem engineer rearranges the assemblage of terrestrial mammals in winter

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 831, P. 154919 - 154919

Published: March 29, 2022

There is increasing awareness of the ecosystem engineering services provided by recovering populations Eurasian beaver. By modifying aquatic environments, this species has a significant, positive influence on biodiversity. Beaver activity affects not only ecosystems but also terrestrial habitats and organisms. Our study compares evaluates richness mammals in winter at beaver ponds (N = 65) randomly-selected reference sites along nearby watercourses unmodified beavers Poland (central Europe). Mammal assemblages were investigated near pond/watercourse edges, some distance from them. The mammal numbers their tracks respectively 25% 33% greater than sites. higher extended to areas 40-60 m distant ponds, devoid any signs activity. Twenty-three recorded (mean 3.8 ± 1.6 SD), 20 ones (3.0 1.5 SD). grey wolf, least weasel European polecat related existence correlated with snags coverage grass, bramble coniferous saplings neighbouring habitats. Large small carnivores occurred more frequently active frequencies occurrence mesocarnivores, mesoherbivores herbivores habitat characteristics, regardless whether present or not. results highlight fact that both pond creation changes resulting presence rearrange assemblage.

Language: Английский

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Learning to live with reintroduced species: beaver management groups are an adaptive process

Restoration Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 31(5)

Published: March 11, 2023

In anthropogenic landscapes, wildlife reintroductions are likely to result in interactions between people and reintroduced species. People living the vicinity may have little familiarity with species or associated management, so will need learn live a new state of “Renewed Coexistence.” England, Eurasian beavers ( Castor fiber ) being U.K. Government agencies currently considering their national approach reintroduction management. Early indications this include requirement for “Beaver Management Groups” (BMGs) engage local stakeholders. This policy paper reports on qualitative research that captured lessons from governance two existing BMGs Devon (south‐west England), drawing both prior study interview data. Through analysis, we identified not fixed structure, but an adaptive process . consists three stages Formation , Functioning Future? ), influenced by resource availability direction. We argue that, where they used, Species‐specific Groups could provide “front line” integration into modern role remit be scaled back over time integrated structures partnerships reduce pressure limited resources, as knowledge (such beaver) grows its presence becomes “normalized.” There must sufficient flexibility forthcoming minimize constraint nature similar groups other species, if facilitate sustainable coexistence.

Language: Английский

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