Természetvédők és kutatók ismeretei az eurázsiai hód kapcsán a Kárpát-medencében II.: táplálkozás, építés, élőhelyválasztás, ismeretterjesztés

Abstract

We examined the knowledge of local nature conservationists and researchers associated with the Eurasian beaver through interviews. In the first part of our study (Juhász et al. 2019), we reported the spread of the beaver, recognisable beaver signs, possibilities of human-beaver coexistence and causes of mortality. In the second part (present paper), we show the answers to the questions related to the beaver's behaviour, communication about beavers, and perceptions about local inhabitants' knowledge. The informants observed the utilization of woody species belonging to 26 genera, the consumption of 19 herbaceous taxa, and the building of 15 herbaceous taxa into beaver dams and lodges. Furthermore, we gathered detailed information about the relation between habitat conditions and beaver activity (dam building, lodge construction and habitat selection). Data from the interviews about the beaver's behaviour can be a good complement to the results of field surveys, as well as help to better understand certain phenomena and to lay the foundations for new field research. The gaps in the knowledge of local people reported by the informants highlight that beavers' habits and effects should definitely be included in the general education about wetlands.