After an absence of over 400 years, the beaver is coming back to Sussex!
These natural ecosystem engineers, which help so much with natural flood management and water quality, were hunted to extinction in the UK in the 16th Century. Beavers are extraordinary hydrological engineers, able to build leaky dams and lodges, and create channels and deep pools. This activities provide natural flood management benefits, as well as maintaining a base flow of water in drought conditions.
These natural ecosystem engineers, which help so much with natural flood management and water quality, were hunted to extinction in the UK in the 16th Century. Beavers are extraordinary hydrological engineers, able to build leaky dams and lodges, and create channels and deep pools. This activities provide natural flood management benefits, as well as maintaining a base flow of water in drought conditions.
Beavers as a keystone species
Beavers are a great example of how keystone wildlife species help to reverse other declines in wildlife, as well as helping to reduce pollution and siltation, increase natural fish stocks and more. Beavers play an integral part in buffering our landscapes from flooding and drought, and creating thriving wetland habitats for a whole range of other wildlife. Beavers are recognised as a ‘keystone species’ – a species without which whole ecosystems collapse. Bringing beavers back to Sussex will start to show us what a healthy Sussex wetland truly looks like.
Beavers are a great example of how keystone wildlife species help to reverse other declines in wildlife, as well as helping to reduce pollution and siltation, increase natural fish stocks and more. Beavers play an integral part in buffering our landscapes from flooding and drought, and creating thriving wetland habitats for a whole range of other wildlife. Beavers are recognised as a ‘keystone species’ – a species without which whole ecosystems collapse. Bringing beavers back to Sussex will start to show us what a healthy Sussex wetland truly looks like.
Beavers and wetlands
The extinction of Beavers has had a profound effect on their former surroundings, and the health of our aquatic ecosystems. The Beaver re-introductions will use the natural instincts of a native animal as a tool for restoring important wetlands. At least 80% of the UK’s natural wetlands have been damaged or destroyed in the past, and in Sussex it is probably closer to 95%. Wetlands are some of the most biodiverse areas on the planet, and are fantastic carbon sinks, helping to buffer us against climate change too.
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Beavers returning to Sussex
In 2020, Defra gave approval to introduce Beavers within two enclosed areas within Sussex. The first, the Sussex Beaver Trial will see two pairs released on the Knepp Estate in West Sussex is a 250 ha enclosure. The second is on the National Trust's Black Down Estate, in Valewood, were at least two pairs will be released within the enclosed area. Both projects have a licence for 5 years, and will be monitoring the changes over this period, adding to the growing evidence base. UPDATE 11/12/2020 Beaver seen on the Adur River, West Sussex - more information at sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/news/beaver-exploring-the-adur-landscape |
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