Aquatic biomes: freshwater, saltwater, and estuary
Earth's water systems have their own types of biomes, divided simply into freshwater, saltwater, and estuary biomes. Close to three-quarters of Earth’s surface is covered by water. The types of organisms in an aquatic ecosystem are mainly determined by the water’s salinity—the amount of dissolved salts the water contains. Only about 2.5 percent of the water on Earth is freshwater. Most of the world’s people, however, reside near fresh water and depend on it to survive.
Freshwater biomes either move (as in streams and rivers) or stand (as in lakes and ponds), and the types of fish and other organisms that live in them are determined by temperature and other variables such as oxygen and minerals.
The marine, or saltwater, biome is the largest of all the world's biomes, covering approximately 71% of the planet's surface. With a salt content of between 3.0% and 3.7%, saltwater biomes support fish and other organisms that have adapted to this specialized environment.
An estuary is a partially closed-off part of the sea that is fed by fresh water. These include bays and tidal marsh inlets. Due to great variation in salt concentrations, relatively few species can tolerate estuaries, but those that do are extremely productive. Because estuaries are fairly shallow, sunlight can penetrate completely, making them ideal habitats for algae, grasses and oysters.
Freshwater biomes either move (as in streams and rivers) or stand (as in lakes and ponds), and the types of fish and other organisms that live in them are determined by temperature and other variables such as oxygen and minerals.
The marine, or saltwater, biome is the largest of all the world's biomes, covering approximately 71% of the planet's surface. With a salt content of between 3.0% and 3.7%, saltwater biomes support fish and other organisms that have adapted to this specialized environment.
An estuary is a partially closed-off part of the sea that is fed by fresh water. These include bays and tidal marsh inlets. Due to great variation in salt concentrations, relatively few species can tolerate estuaries, but those that do are extremely productive. Because estuaries are fairly shallow, sunlight can penetrate completely, making them ideal habitats for algae, grasses and oysters.
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The freshwater biome is defined as having a low salt content versus the marine biome which is saltwater like the ocean.
- Ponds and lakes are often called lentic ecosystems. This means that they have still or standing waters, not moving like rivers or streams.The temperature of lakes can change over time.
Lake animals - Animals include plankton, snails, worms, frogs, turtles, insects, and fishes.
Lake plants - Plants include water lilies and duckweed.
- Rivers and streams are often called lotic ecosystems. This means that they have flowing waters, unlike the still waters of ponds and lakes. This biome can vary in size dramatically
River animals - Animals that live in or around the river include insects, snails, crabs, fishes such as salmon, salamanders, snakes, crocodiles, otters, and beavers.
River plants - Plants that grow around rivers vary greatly depending on the location of the river in the world. The plants typically live along the edge of the river where the water is moving slower. Plants include tapegrass, water stargrass, willow trees, and river birch.
- The wetlands biome is a combination of land and water. The land may be mostly underwater for part of the year or just flooded at certain times. One of the key characteristics of a wetland is that it supports aquatic plants.
Wetlands include bogs, swamps, and marshes. They are often located near large bodies of water like lakes and rivers and can be found throughout the world.
Wetlands can play an important role in nature. When located near rivers, wetlands can help to prevent flooding. They also help to purify and filter water. They are the home to many species of plants and animals.
Wetland animals - Wetlands have a huge diversity in animal life. Amphibians, birds, and reptiles all do well in the wetlands. The largest predators are alligators and crocodiles. Other animals include beavers, minks, raccoons, and deer.
Wetland plants - Wetland plants may grow entirely underwater or float on top of the water. Other plants grow mostly out of the water, like large trees. Plants include milkweed, water lilies, duckweed, cypress trees, and mangroves.
From: http://www.ducksters.com/science/ecosystems/freshwater_biome.php
- Ponds and lakes are often called lentic ecosystems. This means that they have still or standing waters, not moving like rivers or streams.The temperature of lakes can change over time.
Lake animals - Animals include plankton, snails, worms, frogs, turtles, insects, and fishes.
Lake plants - Plants include water lilies and duckweed.
- Rivers and streams are often called lotic ecosystems. This means that they have flowing waters, unlike the still waters of ponds and lakes. This biome can vary in size dramatically
River animals - Animals that live in or around the river include insects, snails, crabs, fishes such as salmon, salamanders, snakes, crocodiles, otters, and beavers.
River plants - Plants that grow around rivers vary greatly depending on the location of the river in the world. The plants typically live along the edge of the river where the water is moving slower. Plants include tapegrass, water stargrass, willow trees, and river birch.
- The wetlands biome is a combination of land and water. The land may be mostly underwater for part of the year or just flooded at certain times. One of the key characteristics of a wetland is that it supports aquatic plants.
Wetlands include bogs, swamps, and marshes. They are often located near large bodies of water like lakes and rivers and can be found throughout the world.
Wetlands can play an important role in nature. When located near rivers, wetlands can help to prevent flooding. They also help to purify and filter water. They are the home to many species of plants and animals.
Wetland animals - Wetlands have a huge diversity in animal life. Amphibians, birds, and reptiles all do well in the wetlands. The largest predators are alligators and crocodiles. Other animals include beavers, minks, raccoons, and deer.
Wetland plants - Wetland plants may grow entirely underwater or float on top of the water. Other plants grow mostly out of the water, like large trees. Plants include milkweed, water lilies, duckweed, cypress trees, and mangroves.
From: http://www.ducksters.com/science/ecosystems/freshwater_biome.php