Surprising find in wetlands a decade after reintroducing extinct beavers: 'Has the potential to change local ecosystems'

Once driven to extinction in England around 400 years ago, beavers unexpectedly reappeared on the East Devon River in 2014. Since then, researchers from the University of Exeter and the Devon Wildlife Trust have been studying their ecological impact, revealing significant benefits for both flood control and drought management.

Over the past decade, the Devon Wildlife Trust has closely observed the growing beaver population. Using drone surveys and water-depth measurements, the team discovered that the beaver dams now store over 24 million liters of water across nearby wetlands.

"Our extensive research at the University of Exeter shows that wetlands engineered by beavers greatly enhance landscape resilience, helping to mitigate both flooding and drought," explained Dr. Alan Puttock, a university lecturer.

The creation of these beaver dams has reshaped the local ecosystem. During heavy rainfall, storm flows decreased by an average of 30%, protecting flood-prone communities from severe damage. Conversely, in times of drought, the stored water is gradually released downstream, supporting aquatic life and sustaining green habitats for species like toads, dragonflies, and water voles.

"Seeing how beavers transform their surroundings and support diverse wildlifeand even human communitiesis truly inspiring," commented Dr. Holly Barclay, Green Finance Officer at Devon Wildlife Trust. "To fully benefit from this, we must ensure rivers and streams have sufficient space for beavers to build their wetlands."

Similar ecological benefits have been observed in Scotland, where beavers were reintroduced 15 years ago, surprising experts with their ability to naturally construct and maintain wetlands. "Human attempts to replicate wetlands are expensive and less effective compared to what beavers can achieve," noted an expert in The Guardian.

Author: Sophia Brooks