Resolve the Majority of Conflicts by Making Space for Beavers
Analysis shows that the vast majority of human-beaver conflicts arise within 20m of the water’s edge. In Bavaria (Germany), over 90% of conflict with beaver occur within 10m of the water, while 95% occur within 20m. Although it is possible for there to be conflicts further away than this, they are rare, occur less frequently and are usually associated with an attractive food source or fluctuating water levels. In Scotland, a study of beaver impact on woodland over a 4-year period found that the majority of beaver foraging occurred within 10m of the water.
Restoring Riparian Habitats
We can reinstate lost riparian habitats, by humans no longer occupying or farming right up to the water’s edge and instead either planting native riparian trees or shrubs there, or simply -and at less cost- allowing natural regeneration to occur. Planting native trees and shrubs along the riverbank creates more resilience in the riverbank thereby limiting the impact of beaver burrowing and canal construction. This riparian habitat creation also:
- reduces the likelihood of beavers travelling further from the river to forage
- establishes habitat for other wildlife
- captures undesirable sedimentary run-off
- assists with natural flood management.
This approach is already well established in many other European countries due to its widely documented environmental, economic and social benefits.
Other Beaver Management Techniques
Mitigate Beaver Impacts
Choose from a range of well-established mitigation and management techniques
