Species Action Framework
Species for conservation action
EUROPEAN BEAVER
Species Background
The European or Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) is a large, semi-aquatic rodent. It is extinct in Britain.
Why is this on the Species Action List?
The European beaver meets criterion 1b of the Species Action Framework as a species for conservation action. It is listed on Annex IV (and Annex II) of the EC Habitats Directive. The Directive requires European Union Member States to study the desirability of reintroducing such species where they have become extinct. The beaver also qualifies for the Species Action List since we now have a large amount of ecological information on the species which can inform management actions. Effective species management action can be identified, namely the identification of a suitable site and the running of a reintroduction project, subject to the receipt of a licence. The beaver is a charismatic species which would serve to raise wider biodiversity issues such as riparian woodland management, aspen restoration, wetland biodiversity and dead wood habitat. There are few species which have such significant influences on ecosystem function and health. A developed reintroduction proposal is likely to meet the IUCN guidelines on reintroductions.
Habitat, distribution and abundance
The European beaver inhabits riparian broadleaved woodland bordering freshwater standing waters or slow-moving streams. It occurs from western Europe eastwards to the Chinese-Mongolian border region. The total world population is 634,000-732,000 animals but this is heavily weighted towards eastern Europe. The species is extinct in Britain.
General ecology
It is totally herbivorous, and will feed on herbaceous and woody,
broadleaved species. They favour burrows in banks as nesting places,
but may build lodges of piled logs where they are unable to burrow.
Beavers sometimes dam streams to maintain water levels and construct
canals which allow them to travel further away from the main body of
water. The animal is monogamous and lives in family groups.
The European beaver is a ‘keystone’ species and its
restoration would be beneficial to a wide range of species and
habitats.
History of decline, contributory factors and current threats
European beaver appears to have once been widespread throughout Britain, including Scotland. There are some palaeontological and archaeological remains which, together with written historical information, suggest that it was present here until the early 16th century. Its extinction is believed to have resulted primarily from over-hunting, particularly for the valuable pelts. The reintroduction of beaver to Scotland would contribute to restoring the species to its historical range within Europe.
Action up to April 2007 and partners involved
SNH has undertaken an extremely detailed research programme into the feasibility of reintroducing beaver to Scotland, and a full national consultation. There has been extensive liaison with specialists based across Europe and in the UK. A trial reintroduction to Knapdale, Argyll was planned and proposed by SNH, in collaboration with the SWT and Mammals Trust UK, but a licence to proceed was turned down in 2005. However, the preparatory work undertaken for Knapdale is providing a valuable basis in developing a new trial reintroduction project. The SWT and the RZSS are currently developing a new licence application which will be submitted to the SG by the end of 2007.
Other web-based key sources of information:
- IUCN Red List species account
- The Scottish Government - reintroduction of beavers video clip
- Scottish Beaver Trial website
SNH is not responsible for content of other websites
Distribution data from the NBN (National Biodiversity Network)
(Note that not all records may be shown, and records from areas where the species no longer occurs may also be given)
Publications
Websites of partners who have approved the SAF implementation plan
SNH beaver publications
There is a range of publications on beavers that have been produced by SNH. You can see a list of these publications by clicking on the highlighted link. You can also download most of them from this list.
- Re-introduction of the European beaver to Scotland. (Document produced for a previous 1998 consultation which is now closed)
- A morphometric comparison of the skulls of fossil British and extant European beavers, Castor fiber
- Analysis of the effects of beaver dam-building activities on local hydrology
- Development of a protocol for identifying beaver release sites
- European beaver and woodland habitats: a review
- Identification and assessment of possible beaver sites in Scotland
- Predicting the outcome of a proposed re-introduction of the European beaver (Castor fiber) to Scotland
- Predicting the outcome of a proposed release of European beaver (Castor fiber) at Knapdale, Argyll
- Re-introduction of the European beaver to Scotland: results of a public consultation
- Review of the potential impacts of re-introducing Eurasian beaver Castor fiber L. on the ecology and movement of native fishes, and the likely implications for current angling practices in Scotland
- Testing methods for monitoring beaver impacts on terrestrial vegetation in Knapdale
- The Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) in Scotland: a review of the literature and historical evidence
- The Transport, Quarantine and Captive Management of European Beaver (Castor fiber)
- Trial re-introduction of the European beaver to Knapdale: public health monitoring 2001–3
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