Otters as 'ecological engineers'
Since their arrival in 2023, a family of otters has settled in a river area in western London — and their daily activities are now having a positive impact on urban water management. By building dams from wood, branches, and mud, these mammals inadvertently create a natural water retention system that slows surface flow and increases water absorption into the soil.Indirect protection for metro stations
The dams built by otters are located in catchment areas that drain into the surrounding London metro stations. During heavy rain, these structures function like 'hydrological buffers,' reducing peak flow and preventing water overflow into underground infrastructure. Local transit authorities have reported a significant decrease in water seepage incidents in nearby areas since the otters' arrival.Collaboration between nature and the city
This case is an interesting example of how wild species can contribute to urban climate resilience — not through technical design, but through ecological processes that have evolved over thousands of years. Urban ecologists from University of West London emphasized that the integration of nature-based solutions is increasingly recognized as an important component in future infrastructure planning.