Reintroducing the European Beaver to Britain: nostalgic meddling or restoring biodiversity?

Abstract

The European Beaver Castor fiber once occurred throughout Europe, but in many countries was exterminated or greatly reduced by over‐hunting. In the UK, Beavers were last recorded in Scotland in the sixteenth century. Thirteen countries have carried out reintroduction programmes to restore the range of the Beaver in Europe, We provide a basis for discussing the feasibility and desirability of reintroducing the Beaver to Britain. The basic biology of the Beaver is described, followed by summaries of reintroductions in Europe and an evaluation of their successes and failures. We address the fundamental questions of propagule size, habitat requirements, habitat size and provenance of Beavers to be released, before examining in theory whether reintroducing Beavers to Britain is likely to fulfil UKCINC and IUCN criteria relating to environmental impact, socioeconomics and conservation. We then make suggestions as to how a reintroduction to Britain could proceed. Essential work outstanding includes site assessment and public consultation. The restoration of the Beaver to Britain could be a fitting start to the millennium.

The feasibility of reintroducing Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) to Scotland

“…habitat type, habitat size and management, which can be used to judge the quality of potential release sites. Release sites should be carefully chosen to maximize the chances of establishment and breeding, to minimize mortality and conflict with humans (Macdonald et al, 1995), and to fulfil the species requirements through all stages of its life cycle.…”

“…Scientifically, politically and legally, reintroductions are being promoted as part of a commitment to what has become termed 'creative conservation' (Yalden, 1986;Olney, Mace & Feistner, 1994). To date in the UK, the most comprehensive study of a possible reintroduction of a mammal has dealt with the Beaver (Castor fiber) (Macdonald et al, 1995), and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) currently undertaking a three year feasibility study on its reintroduction. This study examines the case for the reintroduction to Scotland of Wild Boar (Sus scrofa).…”

“…The UK Biodiversity Action Plan (HMSO, 1994) aims to conserve and enhance biological diversity in the UK, and where practicable it also aims to enhance populations and the natural ranges of native species (Macdonald et al, 1995). Article 22 of the Habitats and Species Directive (EC 92/43) states that member states of the European Union should investigate the possibility of reintroducing species in Annex IV, that are native to their territory, where this might contribute to their conservation (EEC, 1992).…”

Identificación de los mecanismos subyacentes a la invasión de Castor canadensis (Rodentia) en el archipiélago de Tierra del Fuego, Chile

“…Estudios realizados en el hemisferio Norte proponen que el riesgo de depredación es determinante en la selección de hábitat y la construcción de madrigueras (referidas en adelante como castoreras) y represas, en particular durante los períodos reproductivos (Aleksiuk 1970, Zurowski 1992, Macdonald et al 1995, Fustec et al 2003. Particularmente dos rasgos determinan la selección de hábitat, por una parte la topografía e hidrografía y por otra la disponibilidad de recursos alimenticios y de construcción.…”

“…Al menos 80 especies leñosas y 149 herbáceas son consumidas por castores, incluyendo hierbas acuáticas, raíces de monocotiledóneas, así como la corteza o cambium de árboles maduros (Nolet et al 1994, MacDonald et al 1995, Collen & Gibson 2001. Estos recursos vegetales pueden ser destinados a tres diferentes usos: (a) como fuente de energía y nutrientes mediante el consumo inmediato, (b) como almacenamiento externo de energía y nutrientes en despensas subacuáticas, (c) como fuente de protección mediante la construcción TABLA 1…”