Conclusion about beavers and his home
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Why do beavers build dams?
BY JACOB SILVERMAN
Beaver Dams: The Good and the Bad
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With their large front teeth, a pair of beavers can easily chew through the trunk of a medium-sized tree.
ALAN AND SANDY CAREY/PHOTODISC/GETTY IMAGES
Aside from making cozy homes for their families and their friends, beavers play a leading role in nature's big picture when they build dams. More than most other environments, wetlands depend heavily on beaver dams. Although in the United States they've suffered from urban development and pollution, wetlandshost a variety of animal species. One nonprofit organization devoted to beavers claims that almost half of endangered and threatened species in North America rely upon wetlands [source: BWW]. Wetlands also absorb large amounts of water, which counteracts the effects of heavy rainfall and can prevent potential floods. In addition, beaver dams act as natural filters that keep sediment and toxins from flowing into streams and on into oceans.
Although beavers play an important role in the ecosystem, they can also cause problems that are sometimes more than a nuisance. Beaver dams can actually cause flooding. This can wipe out land that farmers need for crops or livestock. Experts estimated that the U.S. timber industry suffered more than $22 million in damage in a single year due to flooding caused by these dams [source: Vantassel, et al]. It doesn't stop there. This flooding can endanger public safety by saturating the soil and making roads, bridges, train trestles and leveesunstable. Also, beavers, with their sharp teeth, can chew through valuable, rare or important trees, and felled trees can pose a hazard to utility lines and buildings.
Toggle navigation
Why do beavers build dams?
BY JACOB SILVERMAN
Beaver Dams: The Good and the Bad
PREVUP NEXT

With their large front teeth, a pair of beavers can easily chew through the trunk of a medium-sized tree.
ALAN AND SANDY CAREY/PHOTODISC/GETTY IMAGES
Aside from making cozy homes for their families and their friends, beavers play a leading role in nature's big picture when they build dams. More than most other environments, wetlands depend heavily on beaver dams. Although in the United States they've suffered from urban development and pollution, wetlandshost a variety of animal species. One nonprofit organization devoted to beavers claims that almost half of endangered and threatened species in North America rely upon wetlands [source: BWW]. Wetlands also absorb large amounts of water, which counteracts the effects of heavy rainfall and can prevent potential floods. In addition, beaver dams act as natural filters that keep sediment and toxins from flowing into streams and on into oceans.
Although beavers play an important role in the ecosystem, they can also cause problems that are sometimes more than a nuisance. Beaver dams can actually cause flooding. This can wipe out land that farmers need for crops or livestock. Experts estimated that the U.S. timber industry suffered more than $22 million in damage in a single year due to flooding caused by these dams [source: Vantassel, et al]. It doesn't stop there. This flooding can endanger public safety by saturating the soil and making roads, bridges, train trestles and leveesunstable. Also, beavers, with their sharp teeth, can chew through valuable, rare or important trees, and felled trees can pose a hazard to utility lines and buildings.
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