Beavers: Nature's Master Builders and Environmental Engineers

Dear Colleagues,

Beavers are unique rodents, living their semi-aquatic lifestyles in fresh water habitats which they can modify to suit their needs. The two extant species, the Eurasian and North American beaver, represent the remaining members of a once much larger evolutionary clade. Habitat loss and decline, along with industrial-scale hunting and trading in their fur, have seen both species nearly rendered extinct. However, the beaver also represents a conservation success story with rapid recovery and expansion. Today, the remarkable abilities of beavers to adapt, modify and create wetland habitats which host multiple plant and animal species is increasingly recognised. As keystone species, their capacity as ecosystem engineers is generating widespread interest in their role in restoring natural processes and boosting biodiversity. Beaver activities can be challenging in some modern and heavily modified land use systems; therefore, various mitigation and management practices have been implemented. As beaver populations expand and increase in density, mechanisms for co-existence to maximise the ecosystem services they could provide to wider society whilst minimising conflicts should be sought.

Dr. Róisín Campbell-Palmer
Guest Editor

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• biodiversity
• ecosystem engineers
• freshwater habitats
• natural processes
• reintroduction
• restoration
• management
• mitigation
• wetlands
• wildlife conservation