Patterns of population dynamics of Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber L.) after reintroduction into nature reserves of the European part of Russia

Petrosyan, V. G.; Golubkov, V. V.; Zavyalov, N. A.; Goryainova, Z. I.; Dergunova, N. N.; Omelchenko, A. V.; Bessonov, S. A.; Al’bov, S. A.; Marchenko, N. F.; Khlyap, L. A.

doi:10.1134/s2075111716040068

Cited by 8 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…There are numerous examples of models, both statistical (Barták et al., 2013; Hartman, 1994; Korablev et al., 2011; Šimůnková & Vorel, 2015) and mechanistic (Petrosyan et al., 2013, 2016, 2019), which describe beaver population dynamics. However, these examples rely on long‐term datasets where populations have already reached or are nearing capacity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In order to model population growth, we assumed that growth conforms to the logistic curve, as shown by (Barták et al., 2013; Brommer et al., 2017; Korablev et al., 2011; Petrosyan et al., 2013, 2016). In order to approximate this curve, we had to estimate two key parameters: …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Gompertz growth function has also been used to model beaver population growth and, though mathematically distinct from the logistic function, similar assumptions of population density‐controlled growth rates are assumed (Johnson‐Bice et al., 2020). All of these growth models describe a general trend in population change; oscillatory fluctuations are to be expected along the trajectory of change (Petrosyan et al., 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Monitoring, modelling and managing beaver (Castor fiber) populations in the River Otter catchment, Great Britain

Graham

Puttock

Chant

et al. 2022

Ecol Sol and Evidence

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Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) were nearly hunted to extinction but have recovered to occupy much of their former range. Beaver were extirpated from Great Britain c. 400 years ago but have recently been reintroduced. The River Otter catchment, Devon was the site of the first licensed wild release of beavers in England. With further releases being considered, there is a need to better understand population dynamics of this native, keystone species to inform conservation and management. Field signs were surveyed from 2015 to 2021. A semi‐automated territory detection method was adopted to estimate territory counts. A spatially explicit model was developed to estimate the ecological territory capacity of the catchment. Future territory expansion was modelled using logistic growth curves; initial growth rate was estimated from observed territory counts and the estimated territory capacity range was used to define the limiting value of the growth curve. Beaver territory removal was simulated, across a range of management intensities and start times, to determine potential impacts of translocation or lethal control upon population dynamics. Territory numbers increased from four to 18, inclusive of four additionally released individuals, during study period. In the absence of population management, the territory capacity of the catchment was estimated to range between 120 and 183; this may be reached between 2028 and 2057. Simulated territory removal, where territories were removed at a fixed rate from the sum of the estimated total population and the population increase for that year, demonstrated large uncertainties in predicted population responses. Simulations with territory removals >3/year all predicted potential population collapse. This finding emphasizes the need for caution when considering population management strategies; translocation of animals out of the catchment or culling should be considered only when populations are established and all alternatives have been considered. These results provide critical information for the expected rate and magnitude of beaver population change in the River Otter catchment. The methods provide a reproducible and generalizable approach for understanding beaver population change, which can inform policy on the reintroduction of beavers and the potential timing and intensity of future beaver population management.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Monitoring, modelling and managing beaver (Castor fiber) populations in the River Otter catchment, Great Britain

Graham

Puttock

Chant

et al. 2022

Ecol Sol and Evidence

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“…For example, mathematical models have been developed for the sustainable management of Lake Ladoga and Lake Onego (Rukhovets and Filatov 2010 ) or, in collaboration with nature reserves, of the European beaver (Petrosyan et al. 2016 ). An example of universities cooperating with the RAS is the EFIMOD model that is used for sustainable forest management (Komarov et al.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards Building a Sustainable Future: Positioning Ecological Modelling for Impact in Ecosystems Management

et al. 2021

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As many ecosystems worldwide are in peril, efforts to manage them sustainably require scientific advice. While numerous researchers around the world use a great variety of models to understand ecological dynamics and their responses to disturbances, only a small fraction of these models are ever used to inform ecosystem management. There seems to be a perception that ecological models are not useful for management, even though mathematical models are indispensable in many other fields. We were curious about this mismatch, its roots, and potential ways to overcome it. We searched the literature on recommendations and best practices for how to make ecological models useful to the management of ecosystems and we searched for ‘success stories’ from the past. We selected and examined several cases where models were instrumental in ecosystem management. We documented their success and asked whether and to what extent they followed recommended best practices. We found that there is not a unique way to conduct a research project that is useful in management decisions. While research is more likely to have impact when conducted with many stakeholders involved and specific to a situation for which data are available, there are great examples of small groups or individuals conducting highly influential research even in the absence of detailed data. We put the question of modelling for ecosystem management into a socio-economic and national context and give our perspectives on how the discipline could move forward.

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“…Changes of ecosystems have led to the situation that beavers face a lack of suitable habitats, especially at the borders of its area. Beaver population dynamics were studied for a long time (since 1940-1950s in some territories), but mainly in forest landscapes (Petrosyan et al, 2016). Foreststeppe and steppe territories became inhabited by beavers in recent times, so there are not enough data for analysis of the beaver abundance dynamics.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distribution and dynamic of Castor fiber (Castoridae, Mammalia) population in forest-steppe rivers: a case of the State Nature Reserve Privolzhskaya Lesostep', Penza region, European Russia

Bashinskiy¹,

Осипов²

2018

Nat. Conserv. Res.

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The work presents the first results of annual monitoring of a beaver population on the territory of Ostrovtsovskaya Lesostep' (State Nature Reserve Privolzhskaya Lesostep', Penza region). In 2014-2017 all water-courses and water-bodies, including the River Khoper, River Selimutka, River Yuzhnaya and several oxbows of the Khoper were investigated twice a year for assessing the beaver abundance using the method of settlements capacity. The mean density of dams was 7.7 dams/km of watercourse, the maximum was on the River Yuzhnaya -10.8 dams/km, and the minimum was on the River Selimutka -5.5 dams/km. During the study period 10 to 13 beaver settlements were observed, the total abundance of beavers tends to decrease (from 42 to 30 animals). The present density of beavers and a lack of food resources limit a further increase of the species abundance.

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Patterns of population dynamics of Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber L.) after reintroduction into nature reserves of the European part of Russia

Cited by 8 publications

References 13 publications

Monitoring, modelling and managing beaver (Castor fiber) populations in the River Otter catchment, Great Britain

Monitoring, modelling and managing beaver (Castor fiber) populations in the River Otter catchment, Great Britain

Towards Building a Sustainable Future: Positioning Ecological Modelling for Impact in Ecosystems Management

Distribution and dynamic of Castor fiber (Castoridae, Mammalia) population in forest-steppe rivers: a case of the State Nature Reserve Privolzhskaya Lesostep', Penza region, European Russia

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