Science · 3 August 2026
How does a Devon beaver pond fight drought?
A beaver wetland on Devon's River Otter can store around 1,000 cubic metres of water, releasing it slowly through leaky dams in dry spells. Exeter University's Alan Puttock says the ponds cut peak river flows by 30 percent and keep vegetation green through a 50 day dry spell. One wetland will not end a drought, he said, but many together build resilience.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs