A new study by the University of Birmingham in the UK has found that beavers may sequester more carbon in their engineered dams than previously thought, according to the study. The study examined a stream corridor in northern Switzerland where beavers could create a net annual carbon sink, drawing in more carbon than it released over the course of a year. The finding could have significant implications for reintroduction of Eurasian beavers across Europe after centuries of hunting. If this pattern holds elsewhere, the animals could help mitigate climate change without costly infrastructure. The researchers estimated that across the floodplains suitable for beaver recolonization in Switzerland, the resulting wetlands could offset between 1.2% and 1.8% of Switzerland's annual carbon emissions.