Research Article

The impact of the European beaver (Castor fiber) on the environment and economy

Natasza Święcicka, Henryka Bernacka, Bianka Durawa, Magdalena Misrzak

1. Acta Sci. Pol. Zootechnica, 13(2), 2014, 51‒62

Abstract. The aim of this study was to illustrate the influence of the European beaver (Castor fiber) on the natural environment and economy using the data on the size and type of damages inflicted by these rodents within the boundaries of the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodship over the years 2005-2013. The population of beaver in this area is estimated around 5 thousand. The most common damages include tree girdles, grassland flooding, arable crop damages, damages to dikes and fish pond embankments.

Keywords: arable land, beaver, damage, dikes, embankments of fish ponds, grassland, tree girdles