A bibliometric literature review in beaver management: when does the beaver become a resource?

Freshwater ecosystems are some of the most biodiverse habitats, but they areamong the most endangered due to human activities. In this context, beaversrepresent a nature-based solutions to preserve and repair freshwater ecosystem,given their important role as ecosystem engineers. However, in an environ-ment modified by humans, beaver activities frequently create conflicts maskingthe positive effects of this rodent. Therefore, the management of beaverpopulations and human–beaver conflicts is needed.2. This article investigates the literature about beaver management through abibliometric analysis to understand past, current, and future response. Moreover,it quantifies the number of studies that consider beavers as a resource, andit identifies the emerging themes in the field.3. The bibliometric analysis was performed considering a total of 415 documentswith the software VOSviewer and the R web interface for bibliometrixBiblioshiny.4. The analysis presented here provides a complete view of past, present, andfuture management approaches and responses at the base of beaver manage-ment strategies. Three main results emerged. Firstly, a rising tendency in thenumber of publications about beavers that are directly linked to the popula-tions development and spread has detected. Secondly, only 4.3% of scientificliterature has referred to beaver-related restoration. Thirdly, the ‘human per-ceptions’ has resulted in the emerging field investigated.5. Findings suggest that there is a lot of research interest about beaver management.The beaver is still poorly managed as a tool for freshwater ecosystem restoration.The management is shifting from studies focused more so on beaver ecology toothers mainly focused on the beaver effects and the human dimension.6. This review provides a starting point for future research on beavers andsuggests the development of socio-ecological management models that considerbenefits and impacts of beavers. This will help the decision-making processof conservation and restoration initiatives.