10 Reasons Why Beavers Are True Ecosystem MVPs

Many people mistakenly believe that beavers are a bothersome and destructive species when in fact they are a keystone species. A species known as a “keystone species” is one that is essential to preserving an ecosystem’s form and function. Beavers are a perfect example of a keystone species because they create and maintain wetland ecosystems, which are some of the most biologically diverse and productive habitats in the world. Beaver habitat is also very important for storing carbon, keeping species from going extinct, raising property values, and making sure humans have enough food. Here’s how:

Here are some reasons why beavers are a keystone species:

1. Wetland Creation: Beavers are ecosystem engineers that create wetlands by building dams. These dams not only provide a home for beavers, but they also create habitat for other species such as fish, amphibians. The wetlands created by beavers act as natural filters for water, helping to purify it.
2. Habitat Creation: Beavers create habitat not only by building dams, but also by felling trees to create lodges and food caches. These structures provide habitat for a variety of species, including birds, mammals, and insects.
3. Nutrient Cycling: Beavers are important in nutrient cycling because they consume large quantities of vegetation, which they convert into nutrient-rich feces. These feces help to fertilize the surrounding landscape, promoting the growth of plants and other organisms.
4. Climate Regulation: Wetlands created by beavers play an important role in regulating the Earth’s climate. They act as carbon sinks, sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in the soil.
5. Water Security: Beavers help to manage water resources by creating wetlands that absorb and store water during wet periods, and release it slowly during dry periods. Beaver habitat was a primary way aquifers got refilled. By bringing back beaver habitat we can reverse the water scarcity emergency.
6. Flood Control: Beavers construct more efficient floodplains and wetlands capable of slowing down and absorbing heavy rains. This helps to reduce the risk of flooding and drought, which are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change.
   

   

7. Carbon Sequestration: Wetlands created by beavers act as carbon sinks, which means they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in the soil. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, wetlands can store up to 50 times more carbon per acre than forests. This makes beaver-created wetlands a valuable tool in the fight against climate change.
8. Preventing Extinction: Beavers are ecosystem engineers that create and maintain wetland ecosystems, which are some of the most biologically diverse and productive habitats in the world. These wetlands provide habitat for a variety of species, including endangered and threatened species. By creating and maintaining wetlands, beavers play an important role in preventing extinction and maintaining healthy ecosystems.
9. Improving Property Values: Beaver-created wetlands can also have a positive impact on property values. Wetlands can help to reduce flooding, improve water quality, and provide recreational opportunities. In fact, a study by the US Fish and Wildlife Service found that wetlands can increase property values by up to 20%.
10. Food Security for Humans: Beaver habitat can also provide food security for humans. Wetlands created by beavers provide habitat for fish and other aquatic species, which can be important sources of food for humans. In addition, wetlands can help to improve soil fertility, which can increase agricultural productivity and food security.