The Eurasian Beaver Handbook: Ecology and Management of Castor Fiber [Paperback]

Beavers are coming back! Across much their European range from where centuries ago these animals were rendered extinct, successful reintroductions mean that once more these fascinating mammals can be seen in the wild. We know more and more about the benefits of beaver reintroductions, from helping to moderate river flow to improved water quality and from positive impacts on fish populations to the creation of habitats that benefit a range of other wildlife species. While some have expressed concerns about the effects of beavers, for example on trees and flood risk, this comprehensive new guide presents the state of the art of knowledge to enable the full spectrum of benefits to be realised. The Eurasian Beaver Handbook marks an exciting moment for conservation and I hope the different groups with an interest in beavers will make the most of it.The authors of this handbook include many of the most significant names in beaver conservation in Europe, drawing on a wide range of experiences and perspectives, which gives this book great depth and insight.... For me, working on the River Otter Beaver Trial here in Devon, this book is already providing a quick reference guide which I???m finding easy to use and full of valuable information. It is well organised and referenced and will become vital for those managing land which beavers recolonise in the decades ahead.Beavers are widely recognised as a keystone species which play a pivotal role in riparian ecology. Their tree felling and dam building behaviours coupled with a suite of other activities create a wealth of living opportunities that are exploited by a range of other species. Numerous scientific studies demonstrate that beaver-generated living environments that are much richer in terms of both biodiversity and biomass than wetland environments from which they are absent. Emerging contemporary studies indicate clearly that the landscapes they create can afford sustainable, cost-effective remedies for water retentioló.