Urban Beavers at the Crossroads: How Ecological Knowledge, Sociodemographic, and Spatial Context Shape Public Perception and Coexistence Preferences

Urban beavers demonstrate synurbization by adapting to urban environments, offering ecological benefits such as biodiversity enhancement and flood mitigation, while also occasionally conflicting with infrastructure. This study examines how ecological knowledge, sociodemographics, and spatial context influence public perceptions and management preferences for urban beavers in the Tualatin River watershed, Oregon, United States. A voluntary survey of 176 participants from peri-urban areas assessed demographic characteristics, ecological knowledge, and attitudes toward management approaches. Spatial factors, such as proximity to watercourses and green spaces, were also analyzed. Logistic regression analyses were used to explore relationships between these factors and management preferences. Political orientation was significantly associated with support for burrowing control (p < 0.05) and lethal management (p < 0.05), with conservatives favoring these methods. Proximity to green spaces showed support for financial compensation (p < 0.05), while proximity to watercourses positively explained support for educational initiatives (p < 0.05). Older participants were less likely to believe no management is necessary (p < 0.05). Education levels were associated with relocation strategies, with higher education positively associated with support (p < 0.05). Participants with greater ecological knowledge viewed beaver-related benefits more positively regarding water impacts (p < 0.05) and wildlife enhancement (p < 0.05). While ecological knowledge enhanced positive perceptions of beaver-related water and biodiversity benefits (p < 0.05), it did not significantly predict coexistence preferences or support for legal protections. Violin plots revealed participants closest to watercourses and green spaces expressed the strongest positive ecological perceptions. Liberals and those with Graduate/Doctoral degrees rated impacts more positively than conservatives and those with lower education. Qualitative responses highlighted differences in attitudes between study sites, with participants at Fanno creek reach citing infrastructure concerns, while those at the Springville reach emphasized biodiversity gains and ecosystem restoration. The findings underscore the need for targeted initiatives and adaptive management strategies to address demographic and spatial variations in public perceptions. Spatially targeted outreach efforts, particularly in areas with frequent human-beaver interactions, could improve public awareness and support for coexistence. This study defines coexistence beyond the binary of lethal versus non-lethal management strategies, instead considering a spectrum of public preferences that include multiple management methods. Integrating these nuanced perspectives into management approaches can foster more adaptive and publicly supported coexistence strategies.