<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<p>The Eurasian beaver has a significant impact on biotic and abiotic resources, thus it is known as an “ecosystem engineer”. Currently, the beaver population in Eurasia is estimated at more than 1.4 million individuals due to successful reintroductions in many countries. The recognition of its impact on ecosystems is increasing every year, therefore this article summarizes the current knowledge of how the Eurasian beaver affects the local flora and vegetation in the area where it settles. Beavers initiate a transformation of their closest surroundings with the dams and ponds they create by forming wetlands, and the newly developed vegetation is richer in plant species than previously. Beaver activities lead to a decrease in local woody plant resources and an increase in the species diversity of herbaceous plants. Beavers also cause damage to agricultural crops when they feed on cultivated plants. Observed changes can vary over time and landscape scales due to local conditions and persistence of beaver occurrence. Understanding how beavers affect plants and vegetation may be helpful not only in the protection of the species itself, but also in better management of the areas where they occur.</p>
</abstract>

The Eurasian beaver has a significant impact on biotic and abiotic resources, thus it is known as an “ecosystem engineer”. Currently, the beaver population in Eurasia is estimated at more than 1.4 million individuals due to successful reintroductions in many countries. The recognition of its impact on ecosystems is increasing every year, therefore this article summarizes the current knowledge of how the Eurasian beaver affects the local flora and vegetation in the area where it settles. Beavers initiate a transformation of their closest surroundings with the dams and ponds they create by forming wetlands, and the newly developed vegetation is richer in plant species than previously. Beaver activities lead to a decrease in local woody plant resources and an increase in the species diversity of herbaceous plants. Beavers also cause damage to agricultural crops when they feed on cultivated plants. Observed changes can vary over time and landscape scales due to local conditions and persistence of beaver occurrence. Understanding how beavers affect plants and vegetation may be helpful not only in the protection of the species itself, but also in better management of the areas where they occur.

Consequences of the activities of Eurasian beaver on local plants and vegetation cover – an overview

Jagiellonian University, Faculty of Biology

Environmental & Socio-economic Studies

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

The Eurasian beaver has a significant impact on biotic and abiotic resources, thus it is known as an “ecosystem engineer”. Currently, the beaver population in...

Consequences of the activities of Eurasian beaver on local plants and vegetation cover – an overview

Published Online: Sep 20, 2023

Page range: 33 - 42

Received: May 17, 2023

Accepted: Aug 09, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/environ-2023-0015

Keywords
herbivore, riparian ecosystems, keystone species, vegetation changes

© 2023 Rita Rakowska, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Consequences of the activities of Eurasian beaver on local plants and vegetation cover – an overview

Published Online: Sep 20, 2023

Page range: 33 - 42

Received: May 17, 2023

Accepted: Aug 09, 2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/environ-2023-0015

Keywordsherbivore, riparian ecosystems, keystone species, vegetation changes

© 2023 Rita Rakowska, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
herbivore, riparian ecosystems, keystone species, vegetation changes