Species richness in beaver territories increased by factor of 2.7, compared to non-beaver territories. Of the 254 taxa recorded, 141 occurred exclusively in beaver territories.
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The habitat type with highest invertebrate abundance was side channels in beaver territories. And the beaver dams are also exceptionally rich in taxa and individuals and support a very special community.
While a predominantly lotic community shifts to an assemblage with more heterogeneous flow preferences, almost no taxa were eliminated from beaver territories. Beavers thus enhance aquatic invertebrate biodiversity, while maintaining the original community.
Beaver activities are cost-effective means by which the biodiversity of small floodplains can be enhanced and should be an integral part of restoration plans in regions where beavers were formerly present.
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