Reintroduction of beavers Castor fiber may improve habitat quality for vespertilionid bats foraging in small river valleys

Ciechanowski, Mateusz; Kubic, Weronika; Rynkiewicz, Aleksandra; Zwolicki, Adrian

doi:10.1007/s10344-010-0481-y

Cited by 38 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 66 publications

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“…Our literature search only returned 11 publications that assessed the ecosystem‐level effects of the reintroduction of keystone species, and of those, three focused on beavers ( Castor spp.). After reintroduction, beavers resume several keystone functions, such as influencing hydrological processes and space use of bats (Ciechanowski et al ; Law et al ), but there is a dearth of information on how other keystone species affect their ecosystems following reintroduction, as only 11 taxa have been investigated, and most are only the subject of a single study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecosystem‐level effects of keystone species reintroduction: a literature review

Hale

Koprowski

2018

Restoration Ecology

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The keystone species concept was introduced in 1969 in reference to top‐down regulation of communities by predators, but has expanded to include myriad species at different trophic levels. Keystone species play disproportionately large, important roles in their ecosystems, but human‐wildlife conflicts often drive population declines. Population declines have resulted in the necessity of keystone species reintroduction; however, studies of such reintroductions are rare. We conducted a literature review and found only 30 peer‐reviewed journal articles that assessed reintroduced populations of keystone species, and only 11 of these assessed ecosystem‐level effects following reintroduction. Nine of 11 publications assessing ecosystem‐level effects found evidence of resumption of keystone roles; however, these publications focus on a narrow range of species. We highlight the deficit of peer‐reviewed literature on keystone species reintroductions, and draw attention to the need for assessment of ecosystem‐level effects so that the presence, extent, and rate of ecosystem restoration driven by keystone species can be better understood.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecosystem‐level effects of keystone species reintroduction: a literature review

Hale

Koprowski

2018

Restoration Ecology

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“…Even man-made water bodies could contribute to the water network, although this might be undesirable in a protected area. Beavers naturally and readily create new lakes and ponds in the areas where they occur or spread to (Ciechanowski et al, 2011). Furthermore, as forests represent a reliable source of prey, bat conservationists should focus more strongly on forest habitats.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ponds in acidic mountains are more important for bats in providing drinking water than insect prey

et al. 2013

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Ponds, streams and other water bodies are known to attract high numbers of bats of various species and all foraging guilds. The attractiveness of these riparian habitats for bats lies in their providing the required large amounts of drinking water for successful reproduction and a potentially high supply of both aquatic and terrestrial prey insects compared to the surrounding habitats, and in the lower ultrasound interference over water than in forest habitats, important for foraging of open‐habitat bat species. The actual abundance of prey depends strongly on the productivity of the aquatic ecosystem, and therefore eutrophic riparian habitats are highly attractive to bats, but little is known about the reasons for the attractiveness of oligotrophic habitats. Here, we compared the bat activity, bat foraging activity and insect abundance around oligotrophic and less‐prey‐rich ponds in acidic near‐natural environments to two structurally similar, simple habitats, that is, clear‐cuts and meadows, by simultaneously recording echolocation calls and light trapping of insects. Our generalized linear mixed models showed no differences in prey abundance but higher bat activity at ponds than at meadows and clear‐cuts, and all locally indigenous bat species visited the ponds. The foraging activity of bats evaluated as the proportion of feeding buzzes to commuting passes positively correlated with prey abundance at meadows and clear‐cuts but not at water bodies. We therefore conclude that ponds in acidic mountain areas are more important to bats as a source of drinking water than as a source of prey. Our results indicate that bat monitoring in such a landscape by bat‐call recording and probably by mist netting is highly promising around water bodies, and that bat conservation strategies should maintain a continuous network of water sources as an important habitat feature.

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“…Nummi et al (2011) showed that beaver-created ponds supported a higher abundance of bats than non-beaver ponds. Bats are thought to benefit from beaver activity due to an increase in prey abundance and availability and due to improved foraging habitat due a reduction in woodland density (Ciechanowski et al 2011). Bats may also utilise beaver habitat in other ways, for example, by roosting under the exfoliating bark of trees killed by beaver flooding (Menzel et al 2001).…”

Section: Mammals Mechanisms Of Beaver Influencementioning

confidence: 99%

The impacts of beaversCastorspp. on biodiversity and the ecological basis for their reintroduction to Scotland,UK

Stringer

Gaywood

2016

Mammal Review

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1.In Scotland, UK, beavers became extinct about 400 years ago. Currently, two wild populations are present in Scotland on a trial basis, and the case for their full reintroduction is currently being considered by Scottish ministers. Beavers are widely considered 'ecosystem engineers' . Indeed, beavers have large impacts on the environment, fundamentally change ecosystems, and create unusual habitats, often considered unique. In this review, we investigate the mechanisms by which beavers act as ecosystem engineers, and then discuss the possible impacts of beavers on the biodiversity of Scotland. 2.A meta-analysis of published studies on beavers' interactions with biodiversity was conducted, and the balance of positive and negative interactions with plants, invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals recorded. 3. The meta-analysis showed that, overall, beavers have an overwhelmingly positive influence on biodiversity. Beavers' ability to modify the environment means that they fundamentally increase habitat heterogeneity. As beavers are central-place foragers that feed only in close proximity to watercourses, their herbivory is unevenly spread in the landscape. In addition, beaver ponds and their associated unique successional stages increase habitat heterogeneity both spatially and temporally. Beavers also influence the ecosystems through the creation of a variety of features such as dams and lodges, important habitat features such as standing dead wood (after inundation), an increase in woody debris, and a graded edge between terrestrial and aquatic habitats that is rich in structural complexity. 4. In Scotland, a widespread positive influence on biodiversity is expected, if beavers are widely reintroduced. For instance, beaver activity should provide important habitat for the otter Lutra lutra, great crested newt Triturus cristatus and water vole Arvicola amphibious, all species of conservation importance. 5. Beavers are most likely to have detrimental impacts on certain woodland habitats and species of conservation importance, such as the Atlantic hazelwood climax community and aspen Populus tremula woodland. A lack of woodland regeneration caused by high deer abundance could lead to habitat degradation or loss. These are also of particular importance due to the variety of associated dependent species of conservation interest, such as lichen communities in Atlantic hazelwoods.

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Reintroduction of beavers Castor fiber may improve habitat quality for vespertilionid bats foraging in small river valleys

Cited by 38 publications

References 66 publications

Ecosystem‐level effects of keystone species reintroduction: a literature review

Ecosystem‐level effects of keystone species reintroduction: a literature review

Ponds in acidic mountains are more important for bats in providing drinking water than insect prey

The impacts of beaversCastorspp. on biodiversity and the ecological basis for their reintroduction to Scotland,UK

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