FRESHWATERFRESHWATER

Ecosystems include lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams.

•Lakes are large Lakes are large bodies of bodies of freshwater freshwater surrounded by surrounded by land, while ponds land, while ponds are smaller bodies are smaller bodies of water of water surrounded by surrounded by land. Lake Baikal, land. Lake Baikal, in central Asia, is in central Asia, is the biggest lake on the biggest lake on Earth; it contains Earth; it contains about one fifth of about one fifth of the Earth’s the Earth’s freshwater and has freshwater and has a maximum depth a maximum depth of 5,315 feet (1,620 of 5,315 feet (1,620 meters)!meters)!

Lake Tahoe is a huge lake on the border Lake Tahoe is a huge lake on the border of California and Nevada that originates of California and Nevada that originates from mountain stream runoff. Most from mountain stream runoff. Most lakes are still and contain diverse plant lakes are still and contain diverse plant and animal life. Rivers and streams are and animal life. Rivers and streams are moving bodies of freshwater, which moving bodies of freshwater, which usually originate in mountains and come usually originate in mountains and come from melting ice or ground water and from melting ice or ground water and eventually flow into the ocean. For eventually flow into the ocean. For example, the Amazon River originates in example, the Amazon River originates in the Andes Mountains and ends in the the Andes Mountains and ends in the Atlantic Ocean.Atlantic Ocean.

PLANTPLANTSS •Plants and algae Plants and algae

are important to are important to freshwater biomes freshwater biomes because they because they provide oxygen provide oxygen through through photosynthesis, photosynthesis, and food for and food for animals in this animals in this biome.biome.

Yum, delicious algae. In fact, that slimy scum you see on the surface of a pond or lake is lunch for many of your favorite aquatic animals, like turtles. In fast streams and rivers many plants have special structures that keep them from being carried away by the water.

• Some aquatic plants have strong roots Some aquatic plants have strong roots that keep them anchored securely, that keep them anchored securely, while others have stems that bend while others have stems that bend easily with the movement of the easily with the movement of the water. Certain mosses are able to water. Certain mosses are able to cling to rocks. Plants who live in still cling to rocks. Plants who live in still waters have different adaptations. waters have different adaptations. Water lilies, algae, and duckweed Water lilies, algae, and duckweed float on the surface. Cattails and float on the surface. Cattails and reeds grow along the shoreline of reeds grow along the shoreline of many freshwater ecosystemsmany freshwater ecosystems

Estuaries house plant life with the unique adaptation of being able to survive in fresh and salty environments. Mangroves and pickleweed are just some examples of estuarine plants.

AnimalsAnimals

many many animals live animals live

in in freshwater freshwater ecosystemsecosystems

. Some . Some need the need the

movement movement of the of the

stream or stream or river water river water to survive.to survive.

In fast moving waters animals that have to hold onto rocks and the bottom may have suction-cup like structures on their bodies. Others thrive in still water environments, like lakes. There are a variety of fish, birds, insects, amphibians, and crustaceans that make freshwater biomes their home.

One important freshwater animal in the United States is the trout. Many people love to fish for, and eat trout. Trout live in both streams and rivers. They eat fish and insects. Estuaries are rich in animal life and are often a protected area where juvenile creatures seek refuge. There are also a variety of animals who live in estuaries that people like to eat, for example clams, shrimp and lots of fish.

PEOPLE AND FRESHWATERPEOPLE AND FRESHWATER BIOMES BIOMES

•Without freshwater Without freshwater biomes you and I biomes you and I would not be alive. would not be alive. Freshwater Freshwater ecosystems are ecosystems are important because important because they provide us they provide us water for drinking; water for drinking; energy and energy and transportation; transportation; recreation, like recreation, like boating and fishing; boating and fishing; and many jobs, like and many jobs, like fishermen and fishermen and researchers.researchers.

One way that people One way that people use rivers is to produce use rivers is to produce hydroelectric power. As hydroelectric power. As water passes through a water passes through a dam, and into a river dam, and into a river below electricity is below electricity is produced. A device produced. A device inside the dam called a inside the dam called a turbine uses magnets, turbine uses magnets, metal, and the metal, and the movement from the movement from the water to produce water to produce electricity.electricity.

When a dam is built, an artificial lake is created behind the dam. Dams can be viewed as good and bad. Dams may provide pollution-free energy, and create lakes for people to enjoy, but they can also damage the environment. Salmon are a species that use rivers to spawn, and are often hurt by dams.

Wetlands are also an important type of freshwater ecosystem. They may be soggy and stinky, but they provide critical habitat for tons of plants and animals, help clean our water, control floods, and provide food for humans. Did you know that cranberries come from wetlands?

freshwaterfreshwater

locationlocation Animals Animals People People and and freshwatefreshwaterr

plantsplants

includincludee

Lakes, Lakes, rivers,strearivers,streamsms

Trout Trout clams, clams, shrimp and shrimp and lots of fish. lots of fish.

they they provide provide oxygen oxygen through through photosyntephotosyntesissis