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The Effects Of Beaver Dams On The Structure And Function Of Invertebrate Communities In A Southeastern Coastal Plain Stream, Damon L. Mullis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Beaver were at the brink of extinction in the early 20^th century, but over the past century populations have been rebounding. This increase in range and population size has raised new concerns over possible impacts on aquatic ecosystems. Beaver are considered ecosystem engineers because they change the physical structure of aquatic systems through the construction of dams, which turn naturally flowing sections of rivers and streams into standing water. Such changes are known to influence habitat heterogeneity, influence organic matter transport and storage, and consequentially influence biological diversity. To my knowledge, no studies of the effects of beaver impoundments …