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.

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First, the dams created by beavers can help maintain water levels and mitigate flooding by slowing down the flow of water. Second, these dams also create new wetland habitats that can support a variety of plant and animal species. Third, beaver dams can help improve water quality by trapping sediment and pollutants before they reach downstream areas. Lastly, the presence of beavers can also lead to increased biodiversity and overall ecosystem health in river systems.