Beavers have an important effect on the ecosystem. With their dams, they ensure that pollution is removed from rivers. In addition, up to a third more species live in landscapes with beaver dams. Their influence on the landscape can even help us fight the climate crisis.
The reintroduction of the beaver was being considered in Britain. There appears to be support for this among more than 60 percent of the population. After sustained campaigns in the environmental sector, the first step has been taken. The animal is now recognized as both a native and protected species under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations. In the UK, it is now illegal to injure beavers, kill them or damage their dams without a permit. That's good news for the beaver! Releasing beavers is the ultimate goal, but it's not that far yet. First, there must be legal measures to "promote coexistence," so that beavers leave agricultural land alone, for example.
Beavers used to be common throughout Europe. However, they were hunted to extinction in the 16th century because of their fur. Nowadays, the beaver is more in demand as a living animal, and not just figuratively; they are moving further and further north because of the warming tundra. Beavers even appear to have a stake in this, as they are changing the hydrology of these areas with their constructed lakes. It also appears that beaver dams and the sediments behind them retain carbon, temporarily keeping greenhouse gases containing this element out of the atmosphere. But when the animals leave these places, the carbon leaks out again, still contributing to global warming. It is therefore important to protect and further expand beaver habitat so that the dams can do their job and we facilitate beavers in doing so.
The beaver is valued primarily for damming rivers, which prevents flooding, maintains groundwater levels, and cleans water. Research shows that landscapes with beaver dams have up to one-third more species living in them than areas without beavers. This is incredibly good for local ecosystems, as it enriches food chains. Last summer's heat waves and record drought also demonstrated the value of beavers: an aerial photo that went viral showed how only a patch of beaver habitat in East Devon remained green amid a sea of withered farmland.
So with the help of beavers, landscapes can be "climate proofed. The impact on global warming when they leave a previously 'contained' area needs a further study so that conservation measures can be adjusted accordingly. Beavers are moving north due to warming and melting permafrost releases enormous amounts of greenhouse gas. Any beaver that can 'contain' some of that is needed to help us fight the climate crisis.