Project no.: 165/2019
Name of the project: How many of us are there? (State of the European beaver population in Prague)
Donor: Capital city of Prague
Program: „Prague Grants: Program for improving of the environment in Prague for 2019“
Coordinator of the project: CZU
Partners of the project: -
Head of the project: Ing. Aleš Vorel, Ph.D.
Contact person and project administration: Ing. Jana Vorlová Kortanová
Project duration: 06/2019 – 11/2020
Total costs: 400 000 CZK
Abstract:
The main aim of the project is to analyse origin of the beaver population (Castor fiber). This population has been recently established in Prague. Second goal will be the prediction analysis for the future development of the population. The results will also contribute to setting the management strategy of this municipal beaver population and will be supporting analyses for risk management strategy.
Goals of the project:
- To determine the population size of beavers in Prague
- To identify the origin of beaver population in Prague
- To specify main risks associated to beavers in Prague
- Project results dissemination
Schedule of the project:
Goal 1 – Population size: 1. 7. 2019 - 30. 11. 2019
Goal 2 – Origin of beaver population in Prague: 1. 9. 2019 - 31. 7. 2020
Goal 3 – Risk analysis: 1. 5. 2020 - 30. 9. 2020
Goal 4 – Publicity: 1. 10. 2020 - 30. 11. 2020
RESULTS OF THE PROJECT
Goal 1 – Prague beaver population size determination
The Eurasian beaver population in Prague consists of 17 territories. Occupation is mainly settled on main river basins of Vltava and Berounka Rivers or in their lagoons.
An abundance analysis in these territories was performed. The results show that the average abundance is 6 individuals per 1 territory. In total whole beaver population is up app. 100 individuals.
Goal 2 – Origin of beaver population in Prague
Genetic analysis revealed that beavers spread to Prague along the river Berounka from Western Bohemia and formerly from Bavaria. Beavers from Bavaria have set the population in Western part of Czechia first and then they have start to spread along rivers toward to the Prague.
The habitat of Prague municipality seems to be poor for the beaver occupation. Therefore, beavers are spreading along the Vltava River further northward to Mělník and Labe River.
We assumed that beavers in the Prague are just mixing out of two different origins (admixed population from Bavaria (yellow points)) and clear lineage of beavers from eastern Germany (Castor fiber albicus) Saxony – Anhalt (green points).
However, genetic analysis has revealed that relict population of the Labe River haven’t spread upstream to the Prague Region, still.
Goal 3 - Risk analysis
The habitat analysis shows that majority of suitable habitats for beavers in Prague has been occupied yet. The only areas suitable for beavers which are still unoccupied by beavers are such:
a) Rokytka ( Čihadla), 
b) Říčanský stream,
c) Part of Botič stream (esp. undeveloped areas in Hostivař and Záběhlice).
Beavers in the Prague are occupying mainly river basins of Vltava and Berounka Rivers or their lagoons. Until yet we haven’t evidenced dams built by beavers. The main risks connected with beaver presence in the Prague is the cutting of the trees. The bike paths along the river banks and heavy visitation of public there could be potentially risky in the case of tree falling. Therefore, the sites of beaver occupancy should be continually monitored by river and municipality authorities. If it will be necessary there should be set the preventive measures. The examples of preventive measures useful in this manner are presented in the Handbook for Coexistence with Beavers: https://www.zachranneprogramy.cz/res/archive/020/004439.pdf?seek=1490013728
Goal 4 – Project results dissemination
Seminars:
The first seminar called Beaver in Prague: current abundance and solution of conflict situations took place on November 21, 2019 in Municipal City Hall. The main aim of this event was to inform the concern organizations and municipality authorities about beavers' presence in direct localities of Prague. The further goal of the meeting was to identify potential risks accompanied to beaver presence in urban zones of Prague Region.
In October 2020 we planned to organize the seminar about project results but due to Covid-19 situation this event was cancelled.
Press release:
Informations about project results were disseminated by press release published in newspapers, on environmental websites, Prague informational websites and social networks.
