Beavers
Frank Rosell, Róisín Campbell‐Palmer
Abstract
Today, beavers are represented by two species, the Eurasian beaver and the North American beaver. Though these are the last remaining representatives of a once much larger consortium of animals, they have played a significant role in human history and dominated wetland ecology in the northern hemisphere. Their behaviour and ecology both fascinate and perhaps even infuriate, but seemingly they never fail to amaze. This comprehensive text serves to go beyond the natural history of these species, also describing their impacts on humans, conflict mitigation, animal husbandry, and conservation. This practical and accessible text incorporates some of the latest scientific findings, whilst setting the background of the broad depth of knowledge on beavers. The recovery and active restoration of both species has emerged following relentless persecution to the verge of extinction, a major conservation success story. Now can perhaps be described as the new dawn of the beaver, where more than ever its landscape-scale impacts, such as potential for water resource management, are being increasingly recognized.