Ecosystem engineering

Beavers do modify the phisical conditions of the habitats they inhabit. For that reason they qualify as ecosystem engineers.

Wright et al. (2002) showed how beaver dams increase habitat heterogeneity at landscape level, which permits a higher number of herbaceous plants to be present. Ecosystem engineering by beavers results thus into higher species richness.

This week's paper has been suggested by Yu Yoshihara:

Wright JP, CG Jones & AS Flecker. 2002. An ecosystem engineer, the beaver, increases species richness at landscape level. Oecologia 132, 96-101.


Image: Bever pond, oil by Frank Larson.