Backyard beavers - Quantifying the ecological and hydrological impacts of Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) in urban and rural landscapes

The comeback of the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) in Western Europe has sparked significant
societal resistance, despite being promoted as a natural ally in biodiversity conservation and a costeffective,
nature-based solution for mitigating droughts and floods. However, robust scientific
evidence supporting these claims remains limited. This project aims to quantify the ecological
impacts of beavers in both rural and urbanised landscapes in Flanders. Specifically, we will assess
how beaver dams influence hydrology, water quality, and biodiversity by integrating existing
biomonitoring datasets with newly collected field survey data. In addition, experimental artificial
dams will be constructed to simulate the rewetting of various stream-associated habitats, allowing
for a controlled investigation of ecosystem functioning, including nutrient cycling and greenhouse gas
fluxes. Beaver-induced changes in biodiversity will be taxon-specific and the effects on key
ecosystem services will be highly context-dependent. For example, factors such as nutrient load, and
the presence of peat are expected to shape the impact of dams on nutrient fluxes and greenhouse
gas emissions. This project aims to provide evidence-based insights for scientists and environmental
managers, contributing to the development of sustainable coexistence strategies for beavers and
humans in anthropogenically modified landscapes.