Temprary

lentic

standing water

temporary water hydroperiods

ephemeral, episodic, intermittent, seasonal, and near permanent

ephemeral

unpredictable flooding after rain and dries within days

episodic

rare, irregular flooding and may remain wet for months

intermittent

irregular wet, dry periods and flooding may last months to years

seasonal

predictable annual flooding and wet for several months each year

near permanent

usually holds water and rarely dries completely

temporary habitats characterized by

very active and rapidly developing species and few species

majority of lentic ecosystems are

small, alternate between wet and dry, and in proximity of each other

1st ones lost as human population density increases

temporary lentic habitats

urbanization results in

hige loss of natural lentic ecosystems

urbanization generates numerous

artificial breeding sites

why do temporary lentic habitats have so many species

• sheer numbers and clustering

• low predator abundance

• high productivity

increased hydroperiod

more species

short hydroperiod

low aquatic productivity

temporary hydroperiod

highest aquatic productivity

repeating dry phase

rapid decomposition of organic matter as air has more O2

wet phase

huge pulse of nutrients into the water from above decomposition

permanent hydroperiod

low aquatic productivity

temporary lentic habitats agriculture

rice

temporary ponds disease

sickle cell-malaria