Global S&T Development Trend Analysis Platform of Resources and Environment
Beavers arrive in the Forest of Dean | |
admin | |
2018-07-24 | |
发布年 | 2018 |
语种 | 英语 |
国家 | 英国 |
领域 | 气候变化 |
正文(英文) | Michael Gove releases pair of Eurasian Beavers as part of reintroduction scheme ![]() A pair of Eurasian Beavers have returned to the Forest of Dean today (24 July) for the first time for around 400 years. It is expected that the beavers’ activity in the Forest of Dean will improve biodiversity in their new 6.5 hectare home and may have the potential to reduce local flood risk. Regular monitoring will continue on site throughout the three-year project to assess these ecosystem benefits. The release was attended by Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, who announced £20,000 of new funding for the trial reintroduction of beavers in Devon to understand further the impact of bringing back one of England’s native species. Environment Secretary, Michael Gove said:
Forestry Commission Forest Management Director, West England Forest District, Kevin Stannard said:
The Forestry Commission unveiled plans for a trial reintroduction into the Greathough Brook in March 2017. Since then, Natural England granted Forestry Commission officials a licence to release beavers into a carefully chosen and secure site which is now being used to house the semi-aquatic mammals. Hydrological and ecological monitoring on the site is producing valuable scientific data and work is underway to ensure this informs future reintroductions. ‘Habitat engineers’Rebecca Wilson, Head of Planning and Environment, West England Forest District, Forestry Commission said:
Hydrologists from the University of Exeter are undertaking research into the impacts of beaver reintroduction at a number of sites in the U.K., including the Forest of Dean. Professor Richard Brazier, a hydrologist from the University of Exeter said:
The Eurasian Beaver is a large semi-aquatic native mammal that was once widespread throughout Britain. They were hunted to extinction by the beginning of the 16th Century for their meat, fur and scent glands. Keystone speciesBeavers are a ‘keystone species’ - playing an important role in wetland ecology by creating ecosystems that provide habitats for many other plant, insect and mammal species. Few other animals, aside from humans, have the ability to so drastically modify and shape their surrounding environment. For this reason beavers are often referred to as “ecosystem engineers”. Records show that the Greathough Brook was once home to thriving populations of water vole, glow-worms as well as wood white and pearl-bordered fritillary butterflies. These species depend on light, warm conditions – conditions that can no longer be found with the decline in sheep grazing and shading from trees. Beavers are well known for their ability to fell trees to dam shallow watercourses and create pools to make them feel safe. The associated wetlands, interconnecting beaver canals, coppiced woodland, glades and deadwood provides rich and diverse habitat for an abundance of wildlife including plants, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Lydbrook has been subjected to several flooding events due to high volumes of water quickly running down the Greathough Brook and into the culvert system. This trial will identify how the beaver’s dam building behaviour can help to hold larger volumes of water higher upstream in the natural pools and wetlands that will be created within the valley. The dams are permeable, allowing water to be gradually released downstream and slow the flow of water. Funding for the Forest of Dean project was secured in part by grants from The Gloucestershire Environmental Trust and Forest Holidays. Background
Published 24 July 2018
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URL | 查看原文 |
来源平台 | gov.uk-Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs |
文献类型 | 新闻 |
条目标识符 | http://119.78.100.173/C666/handle/2XK7JSWQ/105934 |
专题 | 气候变化 |
推荐引用方式 GB/T 7714 | admin. Beavers arrive in the Forest of Dean. 2018. |
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