what are some characteristics of freshwater biomes?

What are some characteristics of freshwater biomes?

FreshwaterBiomes

• Are made of water with no salt

Ex. Rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, swamps• Are shaped by abiotic factors

Ex. The speed at which the water is moving

http://library.thinkquest.org/28022/body.html

Water on the Move

Fast-Moving

Still-WaterSlow-Moving

Water Movement

Tributary• Each creek or stream of water that joins a larger trickle or stream.

So, where does the water come from that enters the tributary?

Fast-Moving Water• Forms as more tributaries join a stream and then

a river.• Organisms have adaptions to avoid being swept

away.• Ex. Algae, moss, tadpoles, fish, clams

http://www.flyfishrivers.com/Provoriver/Trout.html

Slow-Moving Water

• As a river grows wider and slower it meanders.• Meander-to flow in a curved pattern on the land.

• Deltas may form Ex. Mississippi & New Orleans & Dry Deltas on Mars

Slow-Moving Water Animals

Ex. Dragonflies,

Water Striders,

& Fish

Still Waters

Ex. Lakes & Ponds• Have 3 Zones

-Littoral

-Open-Water

-Deep-Water

Check out your Still Water chart.

Littoral Zone

• Closest to the edge of land.• Lots of light means lots of plants near the shore.

Ex. Cattails, pond weeds, water lilies

Littoral ZoneAnimals

Ex. Snails, clams, worms, frogs, salamanders, turtles, & fish

Open-Water Zone

• Only goes as deep as light can reach

Ex. Bass, trout, phytoplankton

Deep-Water Zone

• No light

Ex. Catfish, carp, crustaceans, fungi, bacteria• Organisms feed on dead material.

Wetlands

• Area of land where the water level is near or about the surface of the ground for most of the year.

• Control flooding• Replenish underground water

MarshWetland

• Treeless wetland• Found in shallow water along shores of lakes,

ponds, rivers, streams

Ex. Reeds, wild rice, muskrats, turtles

SwampWetland

• Trees and vines grow here• Located in low-lying areas beside slow rivers

Ex. Willow, oak, elm trees, Spanish moss,

Poison ivy, snakes, birds

So, how can lakes or ponds disappear?

1. Water carries material to the standing water

2. Dead material then settles to the bottom

3. The lake or pond slowly fills up

4. Lake…marsh….forest.