One of the founder animals of the beaver population at the river Hase.

Emsland Beavers

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Distribution map

Navigating inside the map

Zoom

To zoom in or out of the map, click on the plus or minus button at the upper left corner of the map. Alternatively, you can zoom into or out of the map by using the wheel button of your mouse when pointing at the ma canvas. If you move the wheel forward, you are zooming into, if you move it backwards, you are zooming out of the map.
If you press and hold the Shift-key of your keyboard you can draw a rectangle on the map by simultaneously pressing the left mouse button and by releasing the left mouse button, the area within that rectangle will be enlarged.

Pan

By clicking the button with the double-headed arrow, you can switch to a full-screen display of the map. In full-screen mode (which you have to confirm in your browser), the symbol of the button will change from a double-headed arrow to an X. With a click on that X-button you will close the full-screen view of the map again. NOTE: When using a mobile device (smartphone, tablet) it may happen that the full-screen mode does not work.

Pan

By pointing at the OpenLayers symbol at the upper, right edge of the map, a menue will be displayed, which allows you to choose between the different layers of the map.

Explanations on the map

This map is created by using OpenLayers and OpenStreetMap as a base map. The 10x10 km raster used to display the beaver distribution in the EU is recommenden by the European Environment Agency (EEA) and can be freely downloaded from the website of the EEA (EEA reference grid).

Reporting of own beaver sightings

If you move the mouse pointer over the map, the coordinates of the current position of the mouse pointer will be displayed in the lower right corner of the map. You can use this information to determine the position of the beaver settlement found by you, which you can report to us by using our form.

Distribution of the beaver in the district Emsland and Lower Saxony respectively

Layer: Biber Emsland Aktuell
Each blue marking represents an area of water in which beavers can be found.
If you click on one of the blue markers, you will get more information for the respective beaver occurrence (for easier selection of a marker it is recommended to display a map section in an enlarged form beforehand).

Layer: aufgegebene Reviere
In orange, on the other hand, sections of water are marked that were populated by beavers in the past, but which are currently abandoned by the animals.

Layer: Biber Niedersachsen (switched off)
In addition, a further layer can be displayed on the map showing the distribution of the beaver in Lower Saxony (based on TK25 quadrants). If you point the mouse to the layer selection at the top right edge of the map, a menu will appear which allows you to show or hide the different layers of the map.
. With the buttons below the map you can toom to different areas of the distribution area. By pressing the button "Emsland" the initial situation will be restored.

Sources on the beaver distribution in Lower Saxony:
The data on the beaver distribution in Lower Saxony were taken from contracts for work and labour for the NLWKN (2009, 2012, 2015, 2019), several expert's reports for the lower nature conservation authority Lingen (2010, 2011, 2018), the lower nature conservation authority Cloppenburg (2017, 2019, 2022), as well as the lower nature conservation authority Vechta (2021, 2022), messages on current beaver occurrences from private persons via this website, as well as from own observations we have made in our spare time.

Copyright:
The distribution data of the beaver in the district Emsland can be used freely after a notification to us and a reference to this website as well as to the Niedersächsischen Landesbetrieb für Wasserwirtschaft, Küsten- und Naturschutz - NLWKN as the data source, as long as the resulting work containing our data is freely available to the public as well. If you might not be able to fulfill this requirements, we would like to ask you not to use our data.
© 2010 - Emsland Beavers

General distribution of the Eurasian beaver Castor fiber

Layer: Biber-Verbreitung EU (switched off)
This layer shows the current distribution of the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) in the European distribution area of the species (blue areas). For this layer, an attempt has been made to reproduce as accurate a picture as possible of the current beaver occurrences as a raster distribution on the basis of the available data material (although this has not always been successful, see below).
The demarcation of the blue-coloured areas in the European part of the distribution area is based on a grid of 10x10 km grid cells, each of which covers an area where beavers live. In order to keep the file size and thus the loading time for displaying the map within limits, the individual raster cells are not displayed, but adjacent cells have been connected to form contiguous polygons.

Layer: Biber-Verbreitung EU Raster (switched off)
This layer shows the individual raster cells of the beaver distribution in Europe (Note: Due to the file size, the loading time of this layer is several seconds depending on your internet connection!)

Biber-Verbreitung Osten (witched off)
The distribution of the Eurasian beaver in Belarus, Ukraine and Russia is shown as a green area.

Layer: Amerikan. Biber EU (witched off)
Additionally, red areas (Luxembourg and parts of Finland and neighbouring Russia) are areas where American beavers (Castor canadensis) settle, which do not actually belong to Europe.

Sources on the general distribution of the Eurasian beaver:
It should be noted that some of the data on the distribution of beaver in the EU and neighbouring regions are several years old, as the quality and timeliness of the data varies greatly from country to country. A large part of the data comes from the website of the European Environment Information and Observation Network (Eionet), where the distribution data from the reporting period 2007 - 2012 (monitoring according to the FFH guidelines) are available for download free of charge. In addition, the following sources were also used:

  • Batbold, J.; Batsaikhan, N.; Shar, S.; Hutterer, R.; Kryštufek, B.; Yigit, N.; Mitsain, G. & Palomo, L. (2016): Castor fiber (errata version published in 2017). - The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T4007A22188115.en [zugegriffen 21. April 2020].
  • Beltran, O. & Vaccaro, I. (2015): Animais selvagens convertidos em sujeitos políticos: a gestão pública da fauna nos Pirineus. - Revista Antropologia da UFSCAR 7, H. 1, 37–58.
  • Berthelsen, J.P. (2008): Overvâgning af bæver Castor fiber i Danmark 2006. - Arbejdsrapport fra DMU, S. 43.
  • Berthelsen, J.P. (2010): Overvågning af bæver i Danmark, 2009. - Nyhedsbrev - Aarhus Universitet, 4.
  • Binner, U. (2013): Der Biber (Castor fiber albicus) in Mecklenburg. - Säugetierkundliche Informationen 47, H. 9, 169–184.
  • Bressan, Y. & Guinot-Ghestem, M. (2015): Synthèse nationale annuelle de l’activité du réseau Castor 2014. - Office national de la chasse et de la faune sauvage, Unité Prédateurs et animaux déprédateurs, S. 28.
  • Bressan, Y. & Guinot-Ghestem, M. (2017): Synthèse nationale annuelle de l’activité du réseau Castor 2016. - Office national de la chasse et de la faune sauvage, Unité Prédateurs et animaux déprédateurs, S. 44.
  • Bressan, Y.; Hurel, P. & Guinot-Ghestem, M. (2018): Synthèse nationale annuelle de l’activité du réseau Castor 2017. - Office national de la chasse et de la faune sauvage, Unité Prédateurs et animaux déprédateurs, S. 38.
  • Bundesamt für Naturschutz (BfN) (2019): BfN: Nationaler Bericht 2019 gemäß FFH-Richtlinie - Vollständige Berichtsdaten 2019. - Bundesamt für Naturschutz (BfN). https://www.bfn.de/themen/natura-2000/berichte-monitoring/nationaler-ffh-bericht/berichtsdaten.html [zugegriffen 11. April 2020].
  • Cassola, F. (2016): Castor canadensis. - The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T4003A22187946.en [zugegriffen 20. April 2020].
  • Chobot, K. (Hrsg) (2016): Druhy a přírodní stanoviště. Hodnotící zprávy o stavuv České republice 2013. - Agentura ochrany přírody a krajiny ČR a Ministerstvo životního prostředí, Praha, S. 228.
  • Coz, D.M. & Young, J.C. (2020): Conflicts over wildlife conservation: Learning from the reintroduction of beavers in Scotland. - People and Nature.
  • Devon Wildlife Trust (2016): River Otter Beaver Trial. First Annual Report 2016. - Devon Wildlife Trust, S. 41.
  • Dewas, M.; Herr, J.; Schley, L.; Angst, C.; Manet, B.; Landry, P. & Catusse, M. (2012): Recovery and status of native and introduced beavers Castor fiber and Castor canadensis in France and neighbouring countries. - Mammal Review 42, H. 2, 144–165.
  • Ellmauer, T.; Bodner, M.; Höttinger, H.; Huber, T.; Huemer, P.; Jäch, M.; Laass, J.; Ofenböck, T.; Paill, W.; Pennerstorfer, J.; Petutschnig, J.; Raab, R.; Ratschan, C.; Rauer, G.; Reiter, G.; Schedl, H.; Schmiderer, C.; Schratt-Ehrendorfer, L.; Sieber, J.; Troyer-Mildner, J.; Zabransky, P.; Zauner, G.; Zechmeister, H. & Zulka, K.P. (2005): Entwicklung von Kriterien, Indikatoren und Schwellenwerten zur Beurteilung des Erhaltungszustandes der Natura 2000-Schutzgüter. Band 2: Arten des Anhangs II der Fauna-Flora-Habitat-Richtlinie. - Im Auftrag der neun österreichischen Bundesländer, des Bundesministerium für Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft und der Umweltbundesamt GmbH, S. 902.
  • Elmeros, M. (2017): Bestandsudvikling og udbredelse af bæver i Jylland i foråret 2017. - Notat fra Nationalt Center for Miljø og Energi (DCE), Aarhus Universitet, 10.
  • European Environment Agency (EEA) (undatiert): Conservation status of habitat types and species (Article 17, Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC). - European Environment Agency. https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/data/article-17-database-habitats-directive-92-43-eec-1 [zugegriffen 10. April 2020].
  • European Environment Information and Observation Network (Eionet) (undatiert): Results from Art 17 reporting period 2007-2012. - Eionet Portal. https://www.eionet.europa.eu/etcs/etc-bd/activities/reporting/article-17/outcomes-2007-2012 [zugegriffen 10. April 2020].
  • Haga, A. (1981): Nye funn av bever i Ostfold. - Fauna 34, H. 2, 86.
  • Halley, D.J. (2007a): Beavers in Spain – Castores en España 1. - Iberianature. https://www.iberianature.com/spainblog/2007/12/beavers-in-spain/ [zugegriffen 31. März 2020].
  • Halley, D.J. (2007b): Beavers in Spain – Castores en España 2. - Iberianature. https://www.iberianature.com/spainblog/2007/12/beavers-in-spain-castores-en-espana-2/ [zugegriffen 31 März 2020].
  • Halley, D.J. & Rosell, F. (2003): Population and distribution of European beavers (Castor fiber). - Lutra 46, H. 2, 91–101.
  • Halley, D.J.; Rosell, F. & Saveljev, A. (2012): Population and distribution of Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber). - Baltic Forestry 18, H. 1, 168–175.
  • Halley, D. & Schwab, G. (2020): Eurasian beaver population and distribution: The past, present and future. - BeaverCON, Baltimore, USA. https://www.nina.no/Portals/NINA/Bilder og dokumenter/Duncan Halley %26 Gerhard Schwab 2020 -Eurasian beaver population and distribution - the past%2C present and future.pdf [zugegriffen am 08. April 2020].
  • Halley, D.J.; Teurlings, I.; Welsh, H. & Taylor, C. (2013): Distribution and patterns of spread of recolonising Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber Linnaeus 1758) in fragmented habitat, Agdenes peninsula, Norway. - Fauna Norwegica 32, 1–12.
  • Hartman, G. (1999): Beaver management and utilization in Scandinavia. - In: Busher, P.E. & Dzieciolowski, R.M. (Hrsg): Beaver protection, management, and utilization in Europe and North America. - Kluwer Academic / Plenum Publishers, New York, 1–6.
  • Komposch, B. (2014): Verbreitung und Bestand des Europäischen Bibers (Castor fiber Linnaeus, 1758) in der Steiermark (Österreich). - Linzer Biologische Beiträge 46, H. 2, 1277–1320.
  • Kirberg, S. (2023): Europäischer Biber. Castor fiber. Nachweise in Niedersachsen und Bremen auf Basis von TK-25 Quadranten. Stand: Juni 2023. - NLWKN, Hannover, S. 1.
  • Komposch, B. (2020): Der Biber (Castor fiber) in der Steiermark (Österreich): Monitoringergebnisse und erste Erfahrungen im Umgang mit Biberkonflikten. - Säugetierkundliche Informationen 11, H. 56, 133–154.
  • Kurstjens, G. & Niewold, F. (2011): De verwachte ontwikkelingen van de beverpopulatie in Nederland: Naar enn bevermanagement. - Faunafonds, S. 70.
  • Méndez, R. (2007): Los castores vuelven a criar en España tres siglos después. - El País.
  • Mihăilescu, S.; Strat, D.; Cristea, I. & Honciuc, V. (2015): Raportul sintetic privind starea de conservare a speciilor şi habitatelor de interes comunitar din România. - Editura Dobrogea, Bucureşti, S. 281.
  • Mori, E.; Viviano, A.; Brustenga, L.; Olivetti, F.; Peppucci, L.; Pucci, C.; Senserini, D.; Sergiacomi, U.; Spilinga, C.; Roversi, P.F. & Mazza, G. (2021): Distribution and genetic analysis of wild-living Eurasian beavers in central Italy. - Redia 104, 209–215.
  • Müller, U. (2013): Biber in Thüringen. - Säugetierkundliche Informationen 47, H. 9, 165–168.
  • National Biodiversity Network (2020): SPECIES: Castor fiber | Occurrence records | NBN Atlas. - https://records.nbnatlas.org/occurrences/search?q=lsid:NBNSYS0000005107#tab_mapView [zugegriffen 15. April 2020].
  • Office français de la biodiversité (2018): Castor européen. - http://carmen.carmencarto.fr/38/Castor.map# [zugegriffen 11 April 2020].
  • Parker, H. & Rosell, F. (2012): Beaver management in Norway - A review of recent literature and current problems. - Telemark University College, Porsgrunn, S. 62.
  • Podra, M. & Gomez C., A. (2015): Status and management of illegally released Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) in Spain. (Abstract). - In: Busher, P. & Saveljev, A.P. (Hrsg): Beavers - from genetic variation to landscape-level effects in ecosystems. Abstracts from the 7th International Beaver Symposium, Voronezh, Russia. - Biomik Active, Voronezh, 51.
  • Ramme, S. & Klenner-Fringes, B. (2019): Landesweite Erfassung der Bibervorkommen in der atlantischen und kontinentalen biogeografischen Region Niedersachsens (2018-19). Niedersächsischer Totalzensus gemäß der Vorgaben des FFH-Monitorings. - unveröff. Gutachten im Auftrag des NLWKN, Hannover, S. 531.
  • Schweizerisches Zentrum für die Kartografie der Fauna (2017): Distribution de Castor fiber Linnaeus, 1758, Castor d’Europe. - https://lepus.unine.ch/carto/70807 [zugegriffen 13 April 2020].
  • Schweizerisches Zentrum für die Kartografie der Fauna, Biberfachstelle (2020): Verbreitungskarten Biber in der Schweiz. - http://www.cscf.ch/cscf/de/home/biberfachstelle/biberbilder-und-verbreitungskart/verbreitungskarten.html [zugegriffen 13. April 2020].
  • Svendsen, T.B. (2015): An adaptive national beaver management plan - 16 years after reintroduction. (Abstract). - In: Busher, P. & Saveljev, A.P. (Hrsg): Beavers - from genetic variation to landscape-level effects in ecosystems. Abstracts from the 7th International Beaver Symposium, Voronezh, Russia. - Biomik Active, Voronezh, 65.
  • Universität für Bodenkultur Wien (2020): Verbreitung des Bibers in Österreich - Bericht FFH-RL Art.17 (Stand 2012). - Biber in Österreich. https://boku.ac.at/dib/iwj/forschung/projekte-aktuelle-informationen/der-biber-castor-fiber-in-oesterreich/biberverbreitung-und-bestand/biber-in-oesterreich [zugegriffen 13. April 2020].
  • van Heusden, W.; Zwetsloot, T.; Niewold, F.; Reinhold, J.; Koelman, R.; Arisz, J.; Krook, S.; Liefhebber, D. & van Opijnen, M. (2014): Soortenstandaard Bever Castor fiber. Versie 1.1. - Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend, Zwolle, S. 57.
  • Vorel, A.; Simunkova, K. & Safar, J. (2013): Distribution of Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber) in the Czech Republic. - Säugetierkundliche Informationen 47, H. 9, 113–119.
  • Waarneming.nl (2020): Eurasian Beaver - Castor fiber. - Waarneming.nl. https://waarneming.nl/species/375/ [zugegriffen 13. April 2020].
  • Weber, A. (2015): Erfassung des Bibers als FFH­-Art der Anhänge II und IV in ausgewählten Gewässerabschnitten in der kontinentalen Region Niedersachsens im Rahmen des Projekts: Ermittlung und Bewertung des regionalen Biberbestandes und Erfassung von Fischotternachweisen im Biosphärenreservat Niedersächsische Elbtalaue. - unveröff. Gutachten im Auftrag des NLWKN, Hannover, S. 181.
  • Weber, A. (2017): Untersuchungen zur Verbreitung und Raumnutzung des Elbebibers (Castor fiber albicus) im näheren Einzugsbereich der Elbe im Biosphärenreservat Niedersächsische Elbtalaue. - unveröff. Gutachten im Auftrag der Biosphärenreservatsverwaltung Niedersächsische Elbtalaue, S. 28.

Copyright:
The data on the overall distribution of the beaver can be freely used after notification to us and with reference to the above-mentioned sources as well as to this website, provided that the resulting work is in turn freely available to the general public. If you are unable to meet these conditions, we would kindly ask you to refrain from using this distribution data.
© 2010 - Emsland Beavers