Beavers, large members of the rodent family in North America, are often referred to as “ecosystem/keystone engineers” by wildlife managers. Ecosystem engineers are described as animals that create, alter, or destroy a habitat. Beavers contribute to river ecosystems by bringing down old and dead trees along riverbanks. They use these trees to make their dams. Although these dams are primarily used for protection and food storage, scientists report that these dams change the surrounding environment in different ways.
Given this information, in three to five sentences, describe a potential benefit that beavers contribute to the ecosystem as keystone engineers and describe a plausible impact that the removal of beavers could have on the surrounding ecosystem.
One potential benefit that beavers contribute to the ecosystem as keystone engineers is the creation of wetland habitats. By building dams, beavers create ponds and wetlands, which provide essential habitat for a variety of plant and animal species. These wetlands serve as breeding grounds for amphibians, nesting areas for waterfowl, and feeding areas for fish. Additionally, the dams can help to regulate water flow and prevent erosion in rivers.
The removal of beavers from an ecosystem could have a significant impact on the surrounding environment. Without the presence of beavers, the natural process of dam building and maintenance would cease. As a result, wetlands and ponds created by beaver dams would disappear, leading to the loss of crucial habitat for many species. Furthermore, the absence of beavers could disrupt the water flow patterns, potentially causing increased erosion and altering the overall hydrology of the ecosystem. The removal of beavers could therefore have cascading effects on the entire ecosystem, leading to changes in species composition and ecosystem function.