Beavers can improve the functioning of rivers, says a study

any creature It is a priceless piece of a delicate balance. disappearance, or arrival of a specific species, it can have unpredictable effects (both positive and negative depending on the approach) on the whole community of an ecosystem, For example, beavers may be making a significant contribution, according to researchers from the University of Aberdeen and the James Hutton Institute. improving the condition of rivers The Scots Are Helping Too improving the quality of waterways and limiting the effects of drought. But not only that: these rodenticides may also have other positive effects, such as Creating habitats for different species and give us a hand carbon storage,

The work was produced by collecting data from several previous studies. 120 publications covering beavers around the world were considered for a large-scale review of their impacts on rivers and streams and the ecosystem services they can provide.

Then the experts noted current situation in scotland: After successful reintroduction campaigns, beavers have already settled in some areas, such as the Teesside and Knapdale areas. The scientists who prepared the report provided Detailed evidence to help policy makers To consider the benefits and limitations of expanding otters in Scotland, even where they are needed a settlement, In fact, while his presence was generally greeted favorably by residents, there have been conflicts in other situations, such as over-exploited riverine areas financial.

european beaver ,castor fiber) this is a semi-aquatic rodent Large in size. It can reach up to a meter in length including the tail and weigh up to thirty kilos. Precaution not to confuse them otter ,myocaster corpus) another semi-aquatic but aggressive rodent, which is now very common along our rivers. The easiest way to distinguish the two animals is by looking at the tail: the beaver has a long and thin tail like the “typical” rodent, while the beaver has an unmistakable one. flat tail,

a dominant species, a “ecosystem engineer“Able to control the movement of water through dam building activity and the consequent accumulation of sediment and filtering of impurities.

Dams increase water capacity of river basins, mitigating the effects of dry years. Events, unfortunately, due to climate change will become more and more frequent in the future, as outlined dot.ssa josie gerris, one of the researchers conducting the study. In 2018, for example, a particularly dry summer brought limits to the water supplies of communities and businesses.

Gerris recently said: ‘We found that building beaver dams by altering physical processes in rivers and streams could help us address several major water management challenges in Scotland, including water supply and, trapping sediment and contaminants, water quality,

angus tree From naturescott, A Scottish public body active in the conservation of natural areas said: ‘This is an important study that clearly demonstrates the unique ways in which beavers’ design ecosystems. It supports the evidence we’ve gathered over the years and will aid in our work with stakeholders as we develop best practices. be with them I take advantage of it, We are committed to continuing to work as an important way to manage beavers and restore their habitats. protect the scottish environment and responding to the climate emergency”.

Beavers in Europe and Italy

beaver is Historically present throughout the continent Although from the sixteenth century it is Disappeared in almost all states, including Italy, after hunting indiscriminately for the purpose of exploiting their fur. Fortunately, increasing environmental protection is also on its side. active retention program like front again, he killed this animal Return to live in a large part of Europe north-central, passing from about 1200 in the early twentieth century to an estimated 640 thousand specimens in the early 2000s.

In our country, the species was first observed in Friuli Venezia Giulia, with individuals from Slovenia and Austria, and later in the central Apennines. This latter population appears to have been subject to unauthorized reintroduction in recent years.