One potential benefit that beavers contribute to the ecosystem as keystone engineers is the creation of diverse habitats. The dams built by beavers create wetland ecosystems that support a variety of plant and animal species. These wetlands provide breeding grounds for fish, waterfowl, and other aquatic life. Additionally, the slowing down of water flow by dams helps reduce erosion and improves water quality.
On the other hand, the removal of beavers from an ecosystem could have negative impacts on the surrounding environment. Without beavers to control tree growth and create dams, there may be an overabundance of vegetation along riverbanks, leading to increased erosion. Additionally, the absence of beavers could result in loss of biodiversity, as the unique habitats created by beavers would disappear, potentially leading to declines in species that rely on these habitats for survival.