Bioscience Evidence 2024, Vol.14, No.4, 172-183 http://bioscipublisher.com/index.php/be 181 efforts can help identify both positive and negative impacts of beavers and guide management practices to maximize benefits while minimizing conflicts (Brazier et al., 2020; Ulicsni et al., 2020). Furthermore, long-term studies on the adaptive potential of beaver populations to changing environmental conditions, such as climate change, can provide insights into their resilience and inform conservation strategies (Diamond et al., 2023). 11 Concluding Remarks Beavers, as ecosystem engineers, have a profound impact on various ecological and hydrological processes. Their activities, particularly dam building, significantly alter river corridor hydrology, geomorphology, nutrient cycling, and overall ecosystem dynamics. These modifications lead to increased surface and subsurface water storage, altered water budgets, and enhanced habitat complexity and biodiversity. Beavers also facilitate species richness and abundance, particularly in mammals and invertebrates, by creating diverse habitats that support a wide range of organisms. Additionally, beaver activities contribute to early successional habitats, which are crucial for certain species, such as water beetles. The reintroduction of beavers has shown positive effects on biodiversity and ecosystem services, making them valuable for conservation and restoration efforts. The transformative role of beavers in ecosystem engineering presents both opportunities and challenges for conservation and ecosystem management. Their ability to create and maintain wetlands can be leveraged to restore degraded habitats and enhance biodiversity. However, the impacts of beavers are context-dependent, influenced by local hydro-geomorphic conditions and the duration of their activities at a given site. Effective management strategies should consider these factors to maximize the benefits of beaver reintroduction while minimizing potential conflicts with human activities. Engaging local communities and incorporating their knowledge and perceptions can also help in developing adaptive management practices that balance ecological benefits with socio-economic considerations. Beavers play a crucial role in shaping ecosystems through their engineering activities. Their ability to create complex habitats and influence ecological processes underscores their importance in biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration. As beaver populations continue to expand, it is essential to integrate their ecological functions into management and restoration practices. By doing so, we can harness the natural engineering capabilities of beavers to promote resilient and diverse ecosystems, ultimately contributing to the sustainability of our natural landscapes. Acknowledgments Authors sincerely thank all the experts and scholars who reviewed the manuscript of this study. Their valuable comments and suggestions have contributed to the improvement of this study. Conflict of Interest Disclosure The authors affirm that this research was conducted without any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. References Andersen L., Ransborg C., Pertoldi C., Pagh S., and Bahrndorff S., 2023, Can reintroduction of beavers improve insect biodiversity? Journal of Environmental Management, 337: 117719. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117719 Auster R., Barr S., and Brazier R., 2020, Improving engagement in managing reintroduction conflicts: learning from beaver reintroduction, Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 64: 1713-1734. https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2020.1837089 Bailey D., Dittbrenner B., and Yocom K., 2018, Reintegrating the North American beaver (Castor canadensis) in the urban landscape, Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Water, 6(1): e1323. https://doi.org/10.1002/wat2.1323 Bashinskiy I., 2020, Beavers in lakes: a review of their ecosystem impact, Aquatic Ecology, 54: 1097-1120. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10452-020-09796-4 Brazier R., Puttock A., Graham H., Auster R., Davies K., and Brown C., 2020, Beaver: nature's ecosystem engineers, Wires. Water, 8(1): e1494. https://doi.org/10.1002/wat2.1494
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