Researchers at the University of Duisburg-Essen have found a positive impact of beaver activities on the biodiversity of riverbanks. A study in the Eifel region compared riverbank sections with and without beaver activity, revealing a significant increase in the number of aquatic invertebrates and a nearly tripling of the species count in areas with beaver presence.
According to the study’s lead author, Sara Schloemer, no species are lost in areas with beavers, but rather over 140 new species are introduced. Beavers create additional habitats such as ponds, dams and wetlands, without eliminating free-flowing river sections. The beaver dams themselves support a unique community of life.
The findings were published in the scientific journal “Freshwater Biology”.