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The American Beaver
The beaver is known as an "ecosystem engineer" for its unique ability to radically change the landscape.
"The beaver is extremely successful in adapting to its local environment. It has a restricted foraging radius but uses almost every plant growing within that radius."
Beaver, Bison, Horse, by R. Grace Morgan
By building dams, beavers create wetland habitat by raising water levels. The ponds that form behind these dams store water that is slowly released during low flow conditions. This slows the speed at which water move, which can control flooding.
Dams also increase groundwater recharge and retention, store sediment and increase riparian habitat.
Beavers create habitat for waterfowl, amphibians and mammals. "The slow water, abundance of invertebrates, and increased aquatic vegetation provide opportunities for young fish to forage while requiring less energy."
Beavers Northwest
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