The Beaver Conundrum: Striking a Balance in Lower Saxony
Beaver's Rebuttal Pose Sparks Troubles for Agriculturists - Beavers' reemergence leads to issues for agricultural communities
In regions of Lower Saxony, a welcomed sight for nature enthusiasts is causing headaches for some farmers. Beavers, the once-rare aquatic mammals, are making a comeback, but their frequency has left a trail of waterlogged farmlands in their wake, notably for farmer Hans-Heinrich Schnehage from Pattensen south of Hannover. The Lower Saxony farmers' association is advocating for a nationwide approach to beaver management that includes fair compensation for affected farmers.
"The surge of beavers should not compromise agriculture," said Sonja Markgraf, spokeswoman for Landvolk Lower Saxony, to dpa. "Speed is crucial in this matter of beaver management."
Christian Meyer, Lower Saxony's Minister of the Environment and a member of the Green Party, announced plans for a beaver management concept scheduled for the second half of 2025, involving beaver experts throughout the state. "The return of the beaver to Lower Saxony is a triumph of species protection," said Meyer to dpa. Beavers play a crucial role in the local ecology, contributing to water development and supporting water retention in the landscape, creating habitats for numerous threatened fish species.
However, beaver-induced flooding and conflicts are on the rise. In 2019, when the country conducted the last nationwide count, approximately 430 to 500 beaver territories and 480 to 580 individual animals resided in Lower Saxony. Ministry estimates now pin the population at 500 to 1,000 animals. The count due for the end of this year will hopefully provide more definitive numbers.
Most beavers in Lower Saxony have made their homes in the Biosphere Reserve Elbtalaue, along the Elbe, Leine, and in the Emsland. Despite the occasional hardship, not all farmers are against the beaver's return. Farmers like Schnehage, whose flooded fields have been converted into a grazing area for water buffaloes, have come to accept the presence of the beavers.
To strike a balance between conservation and agriculture, the state has formed a "Round Table Beaver" to address issues affecting citizens, companies, municipalities, and water associations. The ideal solution encompasses preventing damage to both the natural landscape and the livelihoods of local residents.
In the Hunte river region of Oldenburg, overzealous beaver construction has endangered nearby dikes. To tackle this concern, the Lower Saxony State Office for Water Management, Coastal and Nature Conservation (LNWKN) has become active. This year, water levels along the Hunte will be lowered to assess the extent of beaver construction and remove softwood to make the area less attractive to the rodents.
Although endangered under Section 44 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act (BNatSchG), unprotected species like nutria and muskrats may be hunted with certain limitations. In 2023/2024, the Ministry of the Environment reported nearly 45,000 nutrias were hunted, an increase of nearly 30 percent compared to the previous year.
In summary, Lower Saxony is working to maintain the beaver population while minimizing its impact on agricultural lands. This delicate balance requires preventive measures, such as physical barriers to protect trees, and official compensation for farmers experiencing damage. The strict protection status of beavers demands careful management to minimize economic hardships on local farmers while ensuring the continued existence of the endangered species.
- Lower Saxony
- Hanover
- Advance
- Pattensen
- Christian Meyer
- BMU
[1] https://www.hna.de/niedersachsen/beavers-haerklen-vermehrung-loesungen-fuer-landwirtschaftler-1.5607024[2] https://www.n-tv.de/nachrichten/Niedersachsen/Beaver-hochwasser-Probleme-fuer-Baeuermeister-Landwirtschaft-Hannover-article28731243.html[3] https://www.umwelt-bundesamt.de/themen/tiere-pflanzen/fauna/beitraege/geschutzsituation-beaver
- The beaver population in Lower Saxony, especially in regions such as Pattensen south of Hanover, has grown significantly, impacting farmlands negatively and causing concern among farmers.
- Sonja Markgraf, spokeswoman for Landvolk Lower Saxony, emphasized the need for swift action to manage the beaver population without compromising agriculture.
- Christian Meyer, Lower Saxony's Minister of the Environment, plans to present a beaver management concept in the second half of 2025, involving experts from across the state.
- The increasing beaver-induced flooding and conflicts in Lower Saxony have resulted in the estimation of the beaver population to be between 500 to 1,000 animals, as opposed to the 430 to 500 territories and 480 to 580 individual animals counted in 2019.
- To address the issues facing citizens, companies, municipalities, and water associations, a "Round Table Beaver" has been formed to strike a balance between conservation and agriculture.
- The Lower Saxony State Office for Water Management, Coastal and Nature Conservation (LNWKN) has become active in areas where overzealous beaver construction, such as in the Hunte river region of Oldenburg, presents a threat to nearby dikes.
