8. Water Quality Maintenance
Capybaras play a significant role in maintaining water quality through their behavior and physical activities. Their movement in and out of water bodies helps aerate the water and prevent stagnation, particularly in smaller pools and lagoons. Their grazing of aquatic vegetation helps control excessive plant growth that could lower oxygen levels and degrade water quality. Their movement through aquatic environments disturbs sediment dynamics, preventing the buildup of excessive organic matter. Their activities near rivers help maintain proper water flow and prevent the clogging of natural channels. Studies of water bodies frequented by capybaras have shown that these areas generally exhibit better water quality characteristics, including higher oxygen levels and balanced nutrient concentrations, compared to similar water bodies without capybara activity.
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