please explain possible answer for second part of the question In a New York Tim
ID: 73451 • Letter: P
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please explain possible answer for second part of the question
In a New York Times article titled "Reversing Course on Beavers" (October 28, 2014), the author highlights these rodents as a defense against a changing climate. As "ecosystem engineers," beavers fell trees and build dams that not only capture creek water in ponds, but raise the water table along streams, promoting growth of riparian trees which helps prevent erosion of stream edges. Hence beavers can increase the availability of water and lower costs of pumping groundwater during the dry spells so common in the American West. Because of their limited size, but disproportionately large effects on ecosystems, we might refer to beavers as . Apply principles of ecology you have learned in this course to describe specific, likely changes in species composition in the aquatic ecosystems engineered by beavers.Explanation / Answer
The beavers are also known as “ecosystem engineers”. This is because they cut the ground level trees and build dams, dig canals, and build lodges. Thus, they transform free-flowing streams into canals, wetlands, and meadows. They also help to change the distribution and abundance of other animals and plants.
The keystone species are connected to large number of other species in the food-web. A range of dramatic cascade effects are caused due to loss of keystone species. The loss of keystone species also alters the trophic dynamics, food web connections, and extinction of some species.
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