American Beaver: Keystone Species & Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2MemfwGFu4

Beavers are a keystone species. This means their presence in nature greatly affects other wildlife. In fact,
the removal of beavers from their natural setting leads to a decrease in habitat quality. As a result,
fewer wildlife species are able to utilize the area.

Beavers build dams and create wetlands upon which many species depend. In fact, almost half of all
endangered and threatened species in North America rely on wetlands to survive, and eighty five
percent of all North American wild animal species depend on wetlands.

Beavers help purify and control water by filtering silt from the water bodies in which they live. This
increases water purity and decreases the need for filtration systems. Beaver dams can also slow flood
waters. Higher water tables, less erosion, and cleaner water result from beaver dams. Beavers may also
aid in containing forest fires; by converting streams to larger bodies of water, these can serve as both a
fire line and water supply to fire fighters.

1. What is a keystone species?

2. What does the Beaver make and why is it important?
3. What is biodiversity?
4. How does the Beaver effect biodiversity?
5. How do they create wetlands?
6. How can the Beavers help fire fighters? Think about what they make?

CER: Claims, Evidence & Reasoning

1. Make a claim from the video. (Think about what would happen if the Beaver was eliminated
from the habitat (food web).
2. Evidence?
3. Reasoning?