Beaver dam floods fields in Hönbach: What now for the farmers?

Beaver dam floods fields in Hönbach: What now for the farmers?

What is currently happening on the Röthen River? The answer is something that those affected in Hönbach don't like to hear: the beavers are on the move, and with them come the problems. These little ecosystem engineers, as they are known in the trade, have apparently made themselves at home in the region, and their dams are causing a lot of trouble. How insuedthueringen.de Reportedly, the dams built by the beavers are causing the fields around the Röthen to be flooded.

The affected area extends between the Bettelhecker roundabout and the Weiße Wanne, and the danger should not be underestimated. New ponds that resulted from the flooded areas became visible, especially when driving along the B89. However, the laws in Germany do not simply allow the dam to be removed or the beavers to be shot. A delicate situation for local farmers.

The beaver as an “ecosystem engineer”

The problem is not new. Research shows that the beaver population in Bavaria has recovered since its reintroduction in the 1960s to 1980s. With around 25,000 beavers in around 7,500 territories, they are now firmly anchored in the Bavarian landscape. The Beaver Project at the Technical University of Munich is now investigating what effects beaver dams have on third-order bodies of water. The influences are both positive and negative and affect the hydrological and physical changes in the affected areas.

Beavers not only influence water bodies, they also have an impact on the communities of fish, lampreys and many other small creatures. The aim of the project is a comprehensive analysis of these changes, in particular the habitat characteristics that are important for threatened small fish species and stockable fish. The conditions for reproduction are particularly important for salmonids.

A look into history

In connection with the name Biber, one could also think of the Czech-Austrian composer Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber, who is considered one of the most important violin composers of the 17th century. He was born on August 12, 1644 and spent much of his life in Salzburg. Biber developed a special technique for playing complex music and left behind an extensive body of work that includes operas, sacred music and chamber music. His best-known compositions include the Mystery Sonatas and the Missa Salisburgensis. His music enjoyed a renaissance in the late 20th century, suggesting that his legacy remains alive while the current beaver population in the rivers has its own influence.

The challenges that farmers in Hönbach experience due to the beaver population illustrate how strongly the human living environment interacts with nature. Whether understanding and managing beavers will lead to a solution in the future remains to be seen. One thing is certain: As beavers continue to spread, all affected parties must work together to find a balance.