Restoring the European Beaver 50 Years of Experience

About this book

Recent readers of Peter Taylor's `Beyond Conservation' will know of the several projects around Europe that are seeking to `rewild' landscapes with re-introduced carnivores and herbivores. Ecological restoration research shows that the beaver is a `keystone species', which can have a hugely beneficial impact on regeneration of vegetation.

The beaver was once almost extinct in Europe but, thanks to successful reintroduction, it is now again a viable species. As a result of cooperation between researchers in several countries, a new book is now being produced which will cover the results and effects of the restoration of beaver populations in northern Europe.

The contents include the history and biology of both the Eurasian and the North American beaver species in Northern Europe. New data on beaver behavior, the relationship between the beaver and its predators, and development of local beaver populations will be presented. There are results of studies on the beavers` influence on landscape, vegetation, soil and other aspects on both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Finally, there are chapters on conflicts and benefits related to beaver and humans, and a forecast of the future of the beaver in Northern Europe.

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