Beavers make a comeback, study finds
QMI Agency
First posted: Thursday, December 18, 2014 12:34 PM EST | Updated: Thursday, December 18, 2014 12:44 PM EST
The beavers are back, big time.
After being nearly eradicated by over-trapping a century ago, the Canadian icons are now plentiful, with a population that sprawls three continents and covers an area the size of Switzerland, University of Saskatchewan researchers have found.
"We found global beaver numbers have grown dramatically on the three continents they currently inhabit, North America, Eurasia and South America, to a population of over 10 million," researcher Colin Whitfield said.
But could all these beavers be bad for the environment? Beaver activities contribute some 800 million kg of methane to the atmosphere each year. That's 200 times more than they produced in 1900.
Fear not, Whitfield said.
"The magnitude of this methane source is lower than many other natural sources and unlikely to be a dominant climate-change driver," Whitfield said.
Plus, he said, the beavers' handiwork provides habitat for birds and other creatures, fostering increased biodiversity.
Beavers make a comeback, study finds | Canada | News | Toronto Sun
QMI Agency
First posted: Thursday, December 18, 2014 12:34 PM EST | Updated: Thursday, December 18, 2014 12:44 PM EST
The beavers are back, big time.
After being nearly eradicated by over-trapping a century ago, the Canadian icons are now plentiful, with a population that sprawls three continents and covers an area the size of Switzerland, University of Saskatchewan researchers have found.
"We found global beaver numbers have grown dramatically on the three continents they currently inhabit, North America, Eurasia and South America, to a population of over 10 million," researcher Colin Whitfield said.
But could all these beavers be bad for the environment? Beaver activities contribute some 800 million kg of methane to the atmosphere each year. That's 200 times more than they produced in 1900.
Fear not, Whitfield said.
"The magnitude of this methane source is lower than many other natural sources and unlikely to be a dominant climate-change driver," Whitfield said.
Plus, he said, the beavers' handiwork provides habitat for birds and other creatures, fostering increased biodiversity.
Beavers make a comeback, study finds | Canada | News | Toronto Sun