The beaver protects ecosystems from global warming

Ecological researchers are interested in the beaver. Considered harmful – or hunted for its fur – this species is becoming essential in the fight against the effects of global warming.

Super Beaver! Several recent works show the enormous contribution of the beaver as an ally in the fight against drought, floods and in promoting biodiversity. Mathilde Fontez, editor-in-chief of the scientific journal Epsilon today he tells us about this rodent that builds dams on rivers.

franceinfo: Are climatologists and biodiversity specialists interested in beavers?

Mathilde Fontez: Yes, even if we haven’t necessarily seen them at work, we’re all familiar with these dams that a beaver builds to submerge the entrance to its lodge and protect itself from predators. This animal weighing around twenty kilos is a rabid builder, it will build a dam in a week. And it is precisely the impact of these dams on ecosystems that researchers are investigating.

To the extent that some consider the beaver to be the most influential species in our environment: the only one capable of profoundly transforming the landscape, making it more resistant to drought, floods, etc.

Is it a protected species in France?

Yes, and for a long time: in 1909 it was the first mammal to be protected. There are currently 25,000 beavers in France – it is forbidden to destroy their dams, you risk a fine of 150,000 euros.

Overall, however, the animal came close to extinction in the 20th century, it was hunted for its skin and meat. And it took us a while to realize its importance to ecosystems. Then QWhat do the studies say today? First, that the beaver protects biodiversity: the water networks they create support the presence of aquatic organisms, butterflies, insects, birds. Locally, they have been measured to triple the diversity of amphibians, for example.

Studies also show that beavers moderate heat waves. They create pockets of cold water, cooling the atmosphere by evaporation. American scientists recorded a local cooling in the water of 2.3 °C during the summer. They prevent flooding by slowing the flow of water. They block fires by soaking the surrounding soil and plants: a study in the United States showed that areas with beavers suffer three times less vegetation loss during large fires.

Are they creating some sort of local wetland?

It’s exactly like that. They even have an effect on water filtration: their construction accumulates deposits and traps pollutants. The water that flows from their dams contains five times less phosphates and 70% less nitrates – pollutants from intensive agriculture.

So it is not always easy to live with beavers: you have to protect the trees and fruit crops around them. But we are starting to call them for help. Scotland, England, Germany and California are officially betting on it. Everyone is subject to the power of Superbeaver…