Beavers had been almost completely eradicated in Europe, but their return to the Peene River 50 years ago marked a turning point for natural climate protection. Beavers have a significant impact on our waters: they build dams out of branches, mud and wood, which dam up the water and create ponds, shallow water zones and wetlands. In doing so, the beaver creates the foundations for life that ensure the survival of many species, e.g. food sources and breeding grounds. It thus ensures the creation of new habitats for numerous animal and plant species in the region, such as the bulbous snail, brook lamprey, river lamprey and otter.
Beavers as water regulators and drought fighters
Beavers have a significant impact on the water balance in their environment. By building their dams, they dam up water and thus create wetlands and ponds. These reservoirs help to regulate the water level in rivers and streams, so that water flows away more slowly and the amount of water in the region remains stable. This ensures that flooding can be mitigated in the event of sudden heavy rainfall and dry periods can be balanced out. Where artificial drainage ditches were once dug, water is now needed again due to today’s dry climatic conditions. By building dams, beavers manage to raise the groundwater level through the additional water that remains in the landscape. This is particularly important in times of increasing water scarcity. Plants whose roots do not penetrate deep into the soil can also benefit from the increased groundwater level in beaver habitats. Firstly, more plants absorb water and their roots also hold the soil more firmly in place. This protects the environment from extreme water levels and helps to prevent erosion.
The dams are made of branches, mud and plant material and also act as natural filters. They purify the water by retaining pollutants and suspended solids, which improves water quality and living conditions for many animal and plant species.
Beavers and their lodgings create diversity in living spaces
When beavers build dams, they dam up the water of a flowing watercourse and flood adjacent areas. This creates shallow water areas overgrown with plants, which serve as breeding and spawning grounds for insects, birds and amphibians. This brings back entire habitat communities that had long disappeared from our landscape or are rarely found.
Their building and damming activities also cause watercourses that have been straightened by humans to meander again. The advantage of meanders is that sediments get caught in the curves of the watercourse, creating additional shallow gravel areas and wet zones that certain animals and plants prefer as habitats.
Beavers and the promotion of biodiversity
Beavers are a truly key species for nature. Their dam-building behaviour changes the landscape. Ponds created by beavers swell temporarily during periods of heavy rainfall and flood wet meadows. This temporary flooding is important for preserving the peat layer and the plants that grow there. Nutrients accumulate in and around the water areas, playing an important role in the food spectrum for plants and microorganisms. Where there are more growing plants and microorganisms, many animals higher up the food chain feel at home. These include insects such as water striders and dragonflies, fish, frogs, amphibians and water birds, but game is also attracted to these oases. The water holes created by beavers are a source of water, a spa, a nursery, a shelter and a place where wild animals can find food and cool off during periods of drought.
In short, beavers create a diverse environment through their building activities, providing food and habitat for several animal species at the same time. In this way, they contribute to the preservation and expansion of biodiversity – i.e. the number and variety of different animal and plant species in an area. This makes them particularly important players in maintaining a healthy and vibrant ecosystem.
The beaver, a CO2 compensation athlete
Beavers are important allies in the fight against climate change. They build dams and create wetlands on the banks of streams, rivers and lakes. These flooded areas act as natural carbon sinks because they trap organic material (e.g. dead plant matter) in the soil and water. This means that carbon (mostly in the form of CO₂) is stored in the soil and water basins and in the plants that grow there, instead of being released into the atmosphere.
The beaver and humans
Beavers are not welcome or desired everywhere. In particular, their natural behaviour can cause conflicts when they are close to civilisation and gardens. The work of Rewilding Oder Delta is dedicated to dealing with conflicts and their resolution and management. We have a beaver expert who is active in the Vorpommern region. At events, he demonstrates how to install individual tree protection, for example, and teaches us how to live with beavers. The aim is to provide people with the means to safely help themselves in beaver conflicts.
Der Biber und seine langfristige Effektivität
A single beaver can permanently alter areas through its building and earthworks activities. In a healthy population, this usually has a positive effect on the entire landscape and ecosystem – a true ‘keystone species’ animal.
Its influence extends far beyond its immediate surroundings and contributes to the natural regulation of water levels and ecosystems. Its return is a success story that shows how nature can regenerate itself if we give it space.
Our work on ‘Natural Climate Protection with Beavers’ is funded by the German Postcode Lottery.
