Post by Ardbeg... innit on Dec 5, 2012 9:37:31 GMT -6
Beavers could threaten Netherlands' dykes
A group of experts have warned that the beaver population in the Netherlands could threaten the country's coastal and river defences. The threat raises questions about the species' suitability for further reintroductions in other European countries where infrastructure has developed without consideration of beaver activity in the landscape. In forests they create a mosaic of habitats by gnawing through trees, constructing dams and creating pools and lakes which can support a diverse range of insect and plant life. In constructing their lodge and refuges they often like to burrow.
The European beaver (Castor fiber) was reported extinct in the Netherlands in 1826, but were reintroduced in 1988 in the Biesbosch as part of a breeding program to increase biodiversity in the Netherland. Further releases occurred in 1994 in the Gelderse Poort (a wilderness area between Arnhem and Nijmegen).
The reintroductions have proved to be hugely successful for beavers, with an estimated population of 700 now living in the waterways of the Netherlands and predictions that the population could rise to around 7,000 by 2032. However, as the population expands and beavers move from the areas in Southern Holland where they were reintroduced this will increasingly bring them into conflict with human activity. By burrowing through the foot of dykes beavers can undermine defences which help prevent the Netherlands from flooding. To date the Dutch Mammal Society is aware of two cases which have caused the Waterschap (water boards) to repair the damage caused to the dykes.
Beaver expert, Vilmar Dijkstra, from the Society emphasised that not all dykes can be dug out by beavers as they require a relatively steep face to dig into. Lengthening the foot of dykes at risk, or armouring the foot of dykes can discourage or prevent digging activity. However, lessons being learnt in the Netherlands must be fully understood before widespread releases are permitted in England. The maintenance costs of a beaver population in the Fens could potentially run into hundreds of thousands of pounds per year on top of existing maintenance budgets.
A group of experts have warned that the beaver population in the Netherlands could threaten the country's coastal and river defences. The threat raises questions about the species' suitability for further reintroductions in other European countries where infrastructure has developed without consideration of beaver activity in the landscape. In forests they create a mosaic of habitats by gnawing through trees, constructing dams and creating pools and lakes which can support a diverse range of insect and plant life. In constructing their lodge and refuges they often like to burrow.
The European beaver (Castor fiber) was reported extinct in the Netherlands in 1826, but were reintroduced in 1988 in the Biesbosch as part of a breeding program to increase biodiversity in the Netherland. Further releases occurred in 1994 in the Gelderse Poort (a wilderness area between Arnhem and Nijmegen).
The reintroductions have proved to be hugely successful for beavers, with an estimated population of 700 now living in the waterways of the Netherlands and predictions that the population could rise to around 7,000 by 2032. However, as the population expands and beavers move from the areas in Southern Holland where they were reintroduced this will increasingly bring them into conflict with human activity. By burrowing through the foot of dykes beavers can undermine defences which help prevent the Netherlands from flooding. To date the Dutch Mammal Society is aware of two cases which have caused the Waterschap (water boards) to repair the damage caused to the dykes.
Beaver expert, Vilmar Dijkstra, from the Society emphasised that not all dykes can be dug out by beavers as they require a relatively steep face to dig into. Lengthening the foot of dykes at risk, or armouring the foot of dykes can discourage or prevent digging activity. However, lessons being learnt in the Netherlands must be fully understood before widespread releases are permitted in England. The maintenance costs of a beaver population in the Fens could potentially run into hundreds of thousands of pounds per year on top of existing maintenance budgets.
Sounds like an entire genre of the porn industry is at risk here.
