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dc.contributor.authorRosell, Frank
dc.contributor.authorBozser, Orsolya
dc.contributor.authorCollen, Peter
dc.contributor.authorParker, Howard
dc.date.accessioned2008-04-01T12:56:22Z
dc.date.accessioned2017-04-19T12:25:23Z
dc.date.available2008-04-01T12:56:22Z
dc.date.available2017-04-19T12:25:23Z
dc.date.issued2005
dc.identifier.citationMammal review 35(2005), No. 3-4, p. 248-276
dc.identifier.issn1365-2907
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11250/2438080
dc.descriptionThe definitive version is available at www.blackwell-synergy.com
dc.description.abstractThe genus Castor comprises two species: the Eurasian beaver Castor fiber, and the North American beaver Castor canadensis. Both species suffered from overexploitation, but have seen a revival since the 1920s due to increased protection and reintroduction programmes. Increases in the populations and distributions of species that are able to modify ecosystems have generated much scientific interest. Here we review the available literature concerning the possible ecological impact of beaver species in the Old and New World. Beavers, being ecosystem engineers, are among the few species besides humans that can significantly change the geomorphology, and consequently the hydrological characteristics and biotic properties of the landscape. In so doing, beavers increase heterogeneity, and habitat and species diversity at the landscape scale. Beaver foraging also has a considerable impact on the course of ecological succession, species composition and structure of plant communities, making them a good example of ecologically dominant species (e.g. keystone species). Nevertheless, the strength of beavers??impact varies from site to site, depending on the geographical location, relief and the impounded habitat type. Consequently, they may not be significant controlling agents of the ecosystem in all parts of their distribution, but have strong interactions only under certain circumstances. We suggest that beavers can create important management opportunities in the Holarctic, and this review will help land managers determine the likely outcome of beaver activity.
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherBlackwell
dc.subjectBeavers
dc.subjectBiodiversity
dc.subjectConservation
dc.subjectEcosystem engineers
dc.subjectKeystone species
dc.titleEcological impact of beavers Castor fiber and Castor canadensis and their ability to modify ecosystems
dc.typeJournal article
dc.typePeer reviewed
dc.subject.nsi488
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2907.2005.00067.x


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