Quantifying ecological impacts and long-term sustainability of The Cheshire Beaver Project
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Liverpool
Abstract
The Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) was lost from mainland Britain due to human activities. Its reintroduction is now gaining momentum, driven by recent high-profile projects demonstrating the role of beavers as beneficial habitat-modifiers. Building on these developments, the Cheshire Beaver Project is conducting a scientifically monitored trial reintroduction, with the aim of utilising beavers for natural process driven habitat management. As a first step, beavers will be released into a fenced area, adjacent to an SSSI with declining water quality and threatened peatland habitats. The beavers are predicted to have multiple ecological benefits, including an increase in biodiversity and reduction in invasive species. Their release offers significant potential both to improve water quality at the reintroduction site, and to enhance the conservation status of the adjacent SSSI. Using ecological surveying techniques, laboratory analysis, and data modelling, this project will investigate four over-arching topics: 1) changes in biodiversity including reductions in invasive species, 2) potential water quality improvements, 3) non-invasive monitoring of beaver behaviour, health and welfare, and 4) modelling the projected long-term success of future beaver releases and of the potential for establishing self-sustaining beaver populations in Cheshire.
The Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) was lost from mainland Britain due to human activities. Its reintroduction is now gaining momentum, driven by recent high-profile projects demonstrating the role of beavers as beneficial habitat-modifiers. Building on these developments, the Cheshire Beaver Project is conducting a scientifically monitored trial reintroduction, with the aim of utilising beavers for natural process driven habitat management. As a first step, beavers will be released into a fenced area, adjacent to an SSSI with declining water quality and threatened peatland habitats. The beavers are predicted to have multiple ecological benefits, including an increase in biodiversity and reduction in invasive species. Their release offers significant potential both to improve water quality at the reintroduction site, and to enhance the conservation status of the adjacent SSSI.
Objectives of the PhD include:
- Analyse and add to ecological survey datasets for the beaver reintroduction site and adjacent areas, testing for evidence of predicted increases in biodiversity and reductions in invasive species.
- Test for predicted improvements in water quality at the reintroduction site and adjacent SSSI into which it flows.
- Develop and apply non-invasive techniques for monitoring the behaviour, health and welfare of beavers in enclosed areas as population density increases, to inform stakeholder management decisions.
- Model the projected long-term success of future beaver releases linked to the project, and potential for establishment of self-sustaining populations, based on i) habitat suitability and connectivity, and ii) population viability, under a range of reintroduction scenarios and management strategies.
The project addresses an urgent need to conserve threatened peatland habitats, which are particularly important for capturing and storing carbon. The reintroduction of beavers offers significant potential for the restoration and enhancement of such habitats. The student will test the utility and long-term sustainability of this approach for promoting healthy peatland habitats.
The Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) was lost from mainland Britain due to human activities. Its reintroduction is now gaining momentum, driven by recent high-profile projects demonstrating the role of beavers as beneficial habitat-modifiers. Building on these developments, the Cheshire Beaver Project is conducting a scientifically monitored trial reintroduction, with the aim of utilising beavers for natural process driven habitat management. As a first step, beavers will be released into a fenced area, adjacent to an SSSI with declining water quality and threatened peatland habitats. The beavers are predicted to have multiple ecological benefits, including an increase in biodiversity and reduction in invasive species. Their release offers significant potential both to improve water quality at the reintroduction site, and to enhance the conservation status of the adjacent SSSI.
Objectives of the PhD include:
- Analyse and add to ecological survey datasets for the beaver reintroduction site and adjacent areas, testing for evidence of predicted increases in biodiversity and reductions in invasive species.
- Test for predicted improvements in water quality at the reintroduction site and adjacent SSSI into which it flows.
- Develop and apply non-invasive techniques for monitoring the behaviour, health and welfare of beavers in enclosed areas as population density increases, to inform stakeholder management decisions.
- Model the projected long-term success of future beaver releases linked to the project, and potential for establishment of self-sustaining populations, based on i) habitat suitability and connectivity, and ii) population viability, under a range of reintroduction scenarios and management strategies.
The project addresses an urgent need to conserve threatened peatland habitats, which are particularly important for capturing and storing carbon. The reintroduction of beavers offers significant potential for the restoration and enhancement of such habitats. The student will test the utility and long-term sustainability of this approach for promoting healthy peatland habitats.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Paula Stockley (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Melanie Baker (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NE/S00713X/1 | 01/10/2019 | 30/09/2028 | |||
| 2601066 | Studentship | NE/S00713X/1 | 01/10/2021 | 31/03/2025 | Melanie Baker |