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Beavers Turn Rivers Into Powerful Carbon Sinks, Study Finds Beavers are quietly turning rivers into powerful natural carbon traps. Beavers may be far more important to the climate than previously thought. A new international study led by researchers at the University of Birmingham suggests these animals can transform river systems into powerful carbon dioxide sinks by reshaping wetlands and waterways. Published in Communications Earth & Environment, the research is the first to calculate both the carbon dioxide (CO2) released and captured as a result of beaver activity in suitable wetland environments. The project involved scientists from the University of Birmingham, Wageningen University, the University of Bern, and several international partners. The study focused on a stream corridor in northern Switzerland that has experienced more than 10 years of beaver activity. The researchers discovered that wetlands created by beavers stored carbon at rates up to ten times greater than nearby systems without beavers. During the 13-year study period, the wetland accumulated an estimated 1,194 tonnes of carbon, equal to 10.1 tonnes of CO2 per hectare annually. Dr. Joshua Larsen, from the University of Birmingham and lead senior author of the study, said: “Our findings show that beavers don’t just change landscapes: they fundamentally shift how CO2 moves through them. By... https://scitechdaily.com/beavers-turn-rivers-into-powerful-carbon-sinks-study-finds/