A study led by a doctoral researcher at the University of Liverpool has found that beavers may help restore damaged peatlands by keeping landscapes wetter and more resilient to drought. The research, conducted in partnership with the Cheshire Wildlife Trust, looked at the environmental effects of the Cheshire Beaver Project, which involves reintroducing beavers into a controlled area in Cheshire. The findings were published in the journal Hydrological Processes. Peatlands are among the U.K.'s most important habitats, as they store large amounts of carbon and support a wide variety of wildlife. However, many have been damaged over time due to drainage for agriculture, making them more vulnerable to drought and less effective at storing carbon. The study focused on two Eurasian beavers, Willow and Rowan, who were released in 2020 into a 4.5-hectare (11-acre) enclosure at the main inflow of Hatch Mere, a protected area in Frodsham, Cheshire. The beavers have transformed the site through their natural behavior of building dams, which block old agricultural drains and slow the flow of water across the landscape. Researchers found that groundwater levels increased by up to 37 times after the beavers arrived, and water levels in their ponds tripled. Across the study area, surface water levels rose by an average of 50 centimeters (20 inches), with some spots seeing increases of over 70 centimeters (28 inches). Over four years, the team monitored and compared water levels in the beaver enclosure, Hatch Mere, and two nearby wetland sites. The study included the dry summer of 2022, a key time to see how restored wetlands respond to drought. Researchers found that the beavers helped increase water storage in the enclosure and kept groundwater levels higher. During the drought, water levels in the enclosure stayed above pre-beaver levels, while nearby areas without beavers saw much greater declines. Additionally, water from the beaver wetlands continued to flow into surrounding peatlands during dry periods, helping maintain wetter conditions in those areas. Dr. Melanie Baker, the lead author of the study and a Ph.D. student at the University of Liverpool, said the findings suggest that beavers could be a valuable tool for restoring peatlands. By slowing water movement and creating wetlands, they help maintain conditions necessary for healthy peatland ecosystems. She also noted that the site was more resilient during drought, which could become increasingly important as climate change leads to more frequent extreme weather events. The study comes amid growing concerns about the impact of hotter, drier summers on peatland habitats. The Met Office reported that summer 2026 was the hottest on record in the U.K., emphasizing the need for strategies that help landscapes retain water during prolonged dry periods. The research team continues to monitor the Cheshire Beaver Project and hopes future studies will provide more insight into how beavers can support climate resilience and the recovery of natural ecosystems.