大象传媒

A new French study has shown that one of nature's most effective dam builders, the beaver, could be one of the most effective tools at our disposal for building water resilience into the natural landscape.

Environmentalists say beavers and their dams can help humans hang on to water when it鈥檚 scarce, and prevent flooding when it鈥檚 not. By building dams across streams, and creating dozens of new ponds and channels across a valley, beavers hold back volumes of water, monitor flow and boost biodiversity.

Newsday heard just how effective the little mammals are from Suzanne Husky, an artist and environmental activist campaigning for the rewilding of beavers across Europe and North America.

鈥淚n past cultures, the beaver held a sacred place because it brought water and life. It doesn't cost a lot to reintroduce beavers... [but] it requires a paradigm shift where we allow other species to be who they need to be and move our infrastructures away from floodplains."

(Pic: Beaver and Suzanne Husky. Credit: Suzanne Husky)

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