Hello,
Beavers strongly influence the environment that they live in. By building dams on watercourses, they raise the surface water level which is thought to be the most important effect of their presence in the area inhabited by man. he floodings created as a result of water damming provide easier access to the distant food base. A newly created pond also provides security, as the beaver, which is a poor walker on the ground, always escapes to the water in case of emergency. These are some of the reasons for which beaver family members keep trying to maintain a few, up to over ten, dams on the longest possible river sequence. As a result of such actions the water flow is slowed down. When a couple of families settle down along one river, the sizes of water rises are smaller, and the watercourse becomes more natural. The activity of beavers within the boundaries of their area may start the process of re-naturalization of watercourse artificially regulated by man. Digging dens and canals, as well as creating floodings, initiate the natural swampy processes. As a result of dens wash-out and collapsing, numerous meanders and shallow waters are created, which are then overgrown by aquatic vegetation and rush-plants.
From the ecological point of view, the presence of beavers in the environment and the effects of their activity are positive. The way of settling and living, as well as feeding selectivity of this species significantly influence the course of the natural transformation of ecosystems (ecological succession). Sadly, in terms of forest and agricultural production, the beavers' impact on their surroundings (trees gnawing, flooding the green crops) is negative. Although the character of environmental changes triggered by beavers is always similar, its evaluation may be very different, depending on the way this problem is judged.
Best Regards,
Harry Potterish