Beaver Ecosystem Roles and Impacts

Julie Wapham from the Hefner Museum of Natural History discusses the role of beavers in ecosystems. Beavers live in ponds and wetlands, where they create dams that provide habitats for various organisms. These structures help limit predators, increase biodiversity, and improve water quality by acting as natural sponges. Beavers are considered keystone species due to their significant impact on their environment. The video also highlights educational resources available at the Hefner Museum.

What type of ecosystem do beavers typically inhabit?

• Deserts

• Grasslands

• Ponds and wetlands

• Mountains

How do beavers contribute to their ecosystem?

• By hunting other animals

• By migrating long distances

• By building dams that create habitats

• By consuming large amounts of vegetation

What materials do beavers use to construct their dams?

• Sand and clay

• Leaves and vines

• Logs, mud, rocks, and grass

• Metal and plastic

Which of the following animals benefit from beaver ponds?

• Wood ducks and great blue herons

• Lions and tigers

• Elephants and rhinos

• Penguins and seals

Which plant thrives in the slower-moving waters created by beaver dams?

• Pine trees

• Water lilies

• Bamboo

• Cacti

What is one of the environmental benefits of beaver dams?

• They increase desertification

• They reduce water quality

• They cause more erosion

• They help reduce downstream flooding

How do beaver dams affect water flow?

• They divert water to other areas

• They increase water flow speed

• They stop water flow completely

• They help regulate and improve water flow

What is one way beaver dams improve water quality?

• By increasing the water temperature

• By dissolving nutrients and removing toxins

• By removing nutrients from the water

• By adding more salt to the water

What role do beavers play in their ecosystem?

• Predator

• Keystone species

• Parasite

• Scavenger

What is a keystone species?

• A species that has a large impact on its ecosystem

• A species that migrates seasonally

• A species that is the most abundant

• A species that is always at the top of the food chain