Beaver Library

Rivers and streams, when fully connected to their floodplains, are naturally resilient systems that are increasingly part of the conversation on nature-based climate solutions. Reconnecting waterways to their floodplains improves water quality and quantity, supports biodiversity and sensitive species conservation, increases flood, drought and fire resiliency, and bolsters carbon sequestration. But, while the importance of river restoration is clear, beaver-based restoration—for example, strategic coexistence, relocation, and mimicry—remains an underutilized strategy despite ample data demonstrating its efficacy. Climate-driven disturbances are actively pushing streams into increasingly degraded states, and the window of opportunity for restoration will not stay open forever. Therefore, now is the perfect time to apply the science of beaver-based low-tech process-based stream restoration to support building climate resilience across the landscape. Not every stream will be a good candidate for beaver-based restoration, but we have the tools to know which ones are. Let us use them.

Traditional restoration efforts are barely scratching the surface of what could be restored. Moreover, a disproportionate amount of funds are spent on too few miles of streams and rivers leaving millions of miles of degraded streams neglected. To fill this gap, restoration practitioners are increasingly trying restoration techniques that are more cost?effective, less intensive, and can more practically scale up to the enormous scope of degradation.

Summary of the beaver release at Knapdale, Argyll, for the purpose of running a scientifically monitored trial as part of the Species Action Framework (SAF).

This study used questionnaires and economic tools to begin to measure the potential economic impact beavers might have on wildlife tourism in Britain.

While Britain has had a slower start than some mainland European countries, beaver reintroduction is now gathering traction motivated by prospects of habitat enhancement, natural flood management and wider biodiversity benefits.

Investigation into the social dimensions of wildlife reintroduction and an argument to emphasize the need to recognize societal perceptions in potential management solutions

A study of beaver control measures to help land management agencies weigh against large-scale removal programs

We aimed to recognise beaver-produced ecosystem services and quantify their theoretical value for the entire Northern Hemisphere.

This article examines five potential conservation benefits of wildlife festivals with an emphasis on ecotourism

Article that finds themes in responses to beaver reintroduction and offers observations that may positively influence future responses amongst affected individuals

This fifth webinar in the ASWM-BLM Beaver Restoration Webinar Series focused on how coalition building is essential to advancing the practice of process-based stream and floodplain restoration by helping the regulatory environment be responsive to the evolving understanding around functioning, intact riverscapes.

A study of 482 flow devices by Beaver Solutions LLC in Massachusetts demonstrated that flow devices are the Best Management Practices for beaver dam flooding problems. Published by the Assoc. of MA Wetland Scientists, 2005.

Research and monitoring activities over a 45-year period on the Quabbin Reservation in Massachusetts have provided an opportunity to follow changes in numbers and dynamics of an unexploited beaver population.

A review by the University of Southampton of how the reintroduction of beaver will affect fish in Scotalnd

This recovery plan provides guidance to improve the viability of coho salmon to the point that it meets the delisting criteria and no longer requires ESA protection.

This project explored the effectiveness of a management plan on improving streamflow and stream temperature

Opinion piece explaining why President Biden should create an Ecosystem Restoration Corps in 2021 to create jobs and improve this country’s environment.

This study examined how temperature, precipitation and beaver (Castor canadensis) activity influenced the area of open water in wetlands over a 54-year period in the mixed-wood boreal region of east-central Alberta, Canada.

This study found that prescribed fires negatively affected beaver lodge occupancy, an effect compounded with frequent burns. Though prescribed fire is considered an important landscape restoration process, the frequency of prescribed burning should be mitigated to ensure that flooding by beavers can continue as a key process that maintains wetlands on the landscape.

This report shares the experiences and lessons learned regarding the use of beaver for restoration and climate change adaptation in a selection of American states: California, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.