image: Cover photos: Beaver dam in western Russia -- Nikolay A. Zavyalov; Eurasian beaver in Estonia -- Remek Meel. view more
Credit: Nikolay A. Zavyalov & Remek Meel
The results presented in this book cover all from the historical aspects of the beaver and its relation to humans, to case studies of the development of reintroduced or recovering populations, consequences of the activities of increasing populations for forests, and the beavers' relationship with animal and plant communities on land and in the water.
Several chapters deal with the high degree to which the beaver is able to transform its environment, and the often long-lasting character of its infl uence. Furthermore, and largely for the fi rst time, this book also makes a considerable body of Russian wildlife research regarding beavers, their re-introduction, and their ecological effects available to the West. Many scientists in the west will envy the detailed, long-term studies reported here that were made possible by state sponsorship of wildlife monitoring and research.
The book spans an enormous area – from Norway in the west, over Sweden and Finland to the central parts of the European part of Russia. For Finland and in the Republic of Karelia, the complicated situation created by the presence of the North American beaver is considered. It is the editors' hope that this book will be appreciated by land and wildlife managers, as well as conservation and hunting organisations, and policy makers. It should be useful not only for continued management of beaver populations in the areas covered in the chapters, but also for other areas in Europe and overseas.
link to additional info for the book on Pensoft's website; http://www.pensoft.net/book/10865/restoring-the-european-beaver