beavers kill trees by cutting them down. they then use these trees to dam streams. they also in creating ponds. this increases the biodiversity of the place because it modifies the distribution and population of many plants and animals. which type of species are beavers? a. predators b. prey c. engineers d. mutualists

I took the test on Plato and got it correct. The answer is engineers.

The correct answer is option C, that is, engineers.

Explanation:

Beavers are considered as engineers by the ecologists as they possess the tendency to modify the ecosystem by producing dams over the rivers with the help of trees that they cut, build lodges, and dig channels. The production of these dams changes the flow of the river and leads to the formation of a lake that possesses still water.  

With time various water-thriving animals and plants occupy the lakes and lead to a formation of a novel ecosystem in that region. Thus, it can be said that the production of dams’ beavers assists in enhancing the biodiversity of a particular region. Therefore, due to the tendency of bringing amendment in its ecosystem, the beavers are termed as ecosystem engineers.