This study reports how beaver (Castor canadensis) activity has affected the benthic invertebrate community of a small woodland stream in northeastern Quebec. Dam construction and wood input by beaver in low order streams generates many modifications to lotic habitats. In particular, dam construction increases the storage of organic and fine inorganic materials in impoundments. Correlated with the former, is an increase in the density and biomass of the invertebrate community, which reflects changes in community structure from lotic to lentic taxa. Chlorophyll standing stocks did not differ statistically among sites. Total density and biomass of invertebrates in impoundments were 2-5 times greater than riffle sites in spring and summer, but statistically similar in autumn. Results suggest that current paradigms applied to lotic ecosystems need to be reevaluated to incorporate the influence of beaver upon invertebrate communities.
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