Ecosystem engineering beaver and the population of Columbia spotted frogs in western Montana

Abstract/Summary

Beavers (Castor canadensis) are ecosystem engineers, altering hydrologic regimes, ecosystem processes, and modifying community structure. How beaver alter landscape patterns of wetlands or lentic habitat (e.g., ponds) and the distribution of obligate species remains an interesting unexamined question. A database of over 100 watersheds in southwestern Montana was used to compare the scale and pattern of lentic habitat and Columbia spotted frog (Rana luteiventris) detection between watersheds with and without signs of beaver presence.