Habitats not only form the conditions for life, they are altered by life. Of all life forms, it is noted that beavers, elephants, and humans have the largest impact.

-          Beavers are commonly vilified for interfering with human-made constructions, but they have a proven record of benefiting ecosystems because the dams they construct create wetlands that provide habitat for many mammals, fish, frogs, turtles, birds, and fowl. Native American people called the beaver the “sacred center” of the land, because beavers create rich habitats.  Nonetheless, humans became the beaver’s major predator.

-          Elephants are commonly disparaged as living bulldozers that devastate local vegetation. However, it is also true that approximately 80 percent of what elephants consume is returned to the soil as barely digested highly fertile manure.[1] The elephant is a sacred animal for many cultures symbolizing power, wisdom,  memory, and longevity. Nonetheless, humans became the adult elephant’s only predator.

-          Humans? It is regrettably easy to disparage humans as habitat destroyers. Environmentalists are devoted to improving the record of humanity's efforts to construct habit. Nonetheless, it is significant that we share a major predator with the beaver and the elephant – we are our own worst enemy.

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