One Planet News: Celebrating a win for nature
Beavers return to Cornwall
By Annette J Beveridge
Nature recovery in the UK is desperately needed so every win must be celebrated.
Beavers were once widespread across Britain but were hunted to extinction 400 years ago. Deemed keystone species, beavers help to shape the natural landscape benefiting ecosystems.
The first fully licensed beaver release has just taken place with two pairs of beavers released at a Cornwall Wildlife Trust nature reserve in mid-Cornwall, within the Par and Fowey river catchment.
Their return comes at a vital time, with one in six species now at risk of being lost from Great Britain.
Beavers create wetlands and play a vital role in restoring healthy river systems. Their activity slows the flow of water, helping to reduce flooding when there are extended periods of heavy rain.
During the summer drier months, stored water improves drought resilience.
Lauren Jasper, Beaver Officer at Cornwall Wildlife Trust, said:
“We are delighted to have released beavers back into the Cornish landscape. Today is a huge win for nature! We have worked closely with Natural England over the past year and are thrilled with their conclusion that the natural habitat is suitable for beavers and the project team are ready to lead on this beaver reintroduction project.
“We’re celebrating today, but the real work starts now as we get ready to monitor the activity of the beaver pairs and support landowners and farmers whilst we all learn to live alongside beavers once again.”
Demonstrated beaver activity includes:
Tripling the diversity of pond and water plants
Increasing frogspawn abundance by over 6000%
Boosting bird species and abundance up to 100m from beaver sites
Increasing bat activity by almost 400%
Raising moth species diversity by 24%
Increasing dragonfly species sevenfold
Releasing beavers into the wider landscape increases genetic diversity and helps secure the long-term future of a healthy beaver population in Cornwall.
More beaver territories also mean more natural benefits and increased climate resilience, at a time when the impacts of climate change are already being felt in the county and are only predicted to increase.
Cheryl Marriott, Director of Nature and People at Cornwall Wildlife Trust, said:
“Evidence of the positive impact that beavers have is stacking up. Cleaner water, protection from drought and flooding and more abundant wildlife - there is a lot to like about these animals. No doubt there will be some challenges as we get used to having them back, but they will provide a lifeline for some of our most threatened species if we give them the chance.”
Dr Rob Stoneman, director of landscape recovery at The Wildlife Trusts, said:
“This is a historic moment: this wild beaver release has gone through the formal application process and, in doing so, it paves the way for more to follow. It signals a major step forward following many years of The Wildlife Trusts and others making the case for the return of this wonderful, keystone species that can do so much to benefit society. If other applications go to plan, Wildlife Trusts hope to be able to release around 100 beavers into seven rivers this year.”