Freshwater Biomes

What are freshwater biomes characterized by?

Low salt concentration, generally less than 1%.

What are the three main types of freshwater biomes?

Lakes and ponds, rivers and streams, and wetlands.

What is the definition of lakes and ponds in freshwater biomes?

Bodies of standing water.

What are the layers of stratification in lakes and ponds?

Littoral, limnetic, profundal, and benthic.

What distinguishes oligotrophic lakes from eutrophic lakes?

Oligotrophic lakes have low nutrients, while eutrophic lakes have high nutrients.

What types of organisms do lakes and ponds support?

Fish, amphibians, and aquatic plants.

What is the definition of rivers and streams?

Flowing water ecosystems.

What is the significance of the gradient in rivers and streams?

It exhibits varying conditions from source to mouth.

What types of organisms are adapted to flowing water in rivers and streams?

Certain fish, insects, and plants.

How do flow patterns in rivers and streams affect ecosystems?

They influence sediment transport and nutrient cycling.

What is the definition of wetlands?

Areas where the soil is saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally.

What are the three types of wetlands?

Swamps, marshes, and bogs.

What characterizes a swamp?

Dominated by trees.

What characterizes a marsh?

Dominated by herbaceous plants.

What is a unique feature of bogs?

Acidic water and peat-forming plants.

What ecological functions do wetlands serve?

Natural water filters, improving water quality, providing habitats, and acting as carbon sinks.

What species can be found in freshwater biomes?

Fish, invertebrates, amphibians, and aquatic plants.

Why are freshwater biomes crucial for human populations?

They provide resources for drinking water, recreation, and fisheries.

What are some threats to freshwater biomes?

Pollution, habitat loss, invasive species, and climate change.

What types of pollution threaten freshwater biomes?

Runoff from agriculture, plastics, sewage, and industrial waste.

How does urbanization affect freshwater biomes?

It leads to habitat loss.

What conservation efforts can protect freshwater biomes?

Restoration of polluted water bodies, sustainable agriculture, wetland protection, and water usage monitoring.

Why is the preservation of freshwater biomes vital?

To maintain biodiversity and provide resources for future generations.

What ecological benefits do freshwater biomes provide?

They offer countless ecological, economic, and social benefits.

How do wetlands contribute to climate change mitigation?

They act as carbon sinks.

What is a significant benefit of wetland habitats?

Providing critical habitats for migratory birds and amphibians.

What is the quality of water impacted by wetlands?

Wetlands improve water quality by trapping sediments and pollutants.

What role do aquatic plants play in freshwater ecosystems?

They provide habitat and contribute to the nutrient cycling of the ecosystem.