Bioscience Evidence 2024, Vol.14, No.4, 172-183 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/be 174 known for their territorial behavior, marking their territories with scent mounds to ward off intruders. Their dam-building activities create ponds and wetlands, which significantly alter the hydrology and geomorphology of their habitats (Larsen et al., 2021). These modifications not only provide beavers with a stable environment but also create habitats for a wide variety of other species, enhancing biodiversity and ecosystem resilience (Nummi et al., 2019; Orazi et al., 2022). 3.3 Reproductive habits and lifecycle The reproductive habits and lifecycle of beavers are closely tied to their social structure and environmental conditions. Beavers typically mate for life, with breeding occurring once a year during the winter months. After a gestation period of about 105 to 107 days, the female gives birth to a litter of kits, usually ranging from two to four offspring. The kits are born fully furred and with their eyes open, and they remain in the lodge for the first few weeks of life. Juvenile beavers, known as yearlings, stay with their parents for up to two years before dispersing to establish their own territories. This extended parental care ensures that the young beavers learn essential skills for survival, such as dam building and foraging (Brazier et al., 2020; Treves and Comino, 2023). The lifecycle of beavers, from birth to dispersal, is intricately linked to their role as ecosystem engineers, as their activities during different life stages contribute to the creation and maintenance of diverse and dynamic habitats (Wohl, 2020; Nummi et al., 2021). Figure 1 GLM model results between peak Q and total event rainfall, before and after beaver impact at Budleigh Brook and compared to a control site (Colaton Brook). Top: model output plots; Bottom: model summary and marginal mean values for each site (Adopted from Puttock et al., 2021) 4 Engineering Marvels: Beaver Dams and Lodges 4.1 Construction techniques and materials Beavers (Castor fiber and Castor canadensis) are renowned for their sophisticated construction techniques, which involve the use of a variety of natural materials such as branches, mud, and stones. These materials are meticulously arranged to create semi-permeable structures capable of withstanding significant water flow.
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