Why Do We Want To See European Beavers Reintroduced? The main reason why we want to see the return of beavers in Scotland is for their ecological importance. Ever since humans caused the extinction of beavers in Scotland around 400 years ago through over-hunting, there has been a major gap in the ecosystem. Beavers are a crucial component of healthy, functioning wetlands and riparian woodlands because of their ability to create wetland habitat, and also because of the opportunities they create for other species. Some European beavers modify their environment by building dams on narrow or shallow watercourses, in order to allow underwater access to their feeding areas, lodges and bank-side burrows or to store winter food underwater. The resultant flooded area of slower-moving water creates new opportunities for aquatic plants, with resultant benefits for invertebrates. The number of dragonfly species increases whilst the ponds attract feeding fish, especially in times of drought. Other mammals benefit as otters hunt in the beaver ponds and use abandoned burrows while water shrews and the rapidly decreasing water vole also share beaver burrows. Dead wood in flooded woodland attracts invertebrates while providing feeding and nesting opportunities for birds. As well as creating a range of new wildlife habitats, damming has a significant impact on water quality throughout the river system. For example, sediments are slowed down and pollutants are oxidised when water seeping through the dam from the pond is aerated.
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