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Can you think of four different freshwater ecosystems? Which of these ecosystems are similar to a marine ecosystem or a land biome?

Fresh water EcosystemsFresh water Ecosystems

Brooks, rivers, and swamps are Brooks, rivers, and swamps are examples of freshwater examples of freshwater

ecosystems. ecosystems.

How does water end up in a river?How does water end up in a river?

*Stream and River Ecosystems*Stream and River Ecosystems

The water in brooks, streams, and rivers The water in brooks, streams, and rivers may flow from melting ice or snow. may flow from melting ice or snow.

The water may come from a spring. The water may come from a spring. – A spring is a place where water flows from A spring is a place where water flows from

underground to the Earth's surface. underground to the Earth's surface.

A stream of water that joins a larger stream A stream of water that joins a larger stream is called a is called a tributary.tributary.

As more tributaries join a stream, the stream As more tributaries join a stream, the stream contains more water. contains more water.

The stream becomes stronger and wider. A The stream becomes stronger and wider. A very strong, wide stream is called a very strong, wide stream is called a riverriver. .

Like other ecosystems, freshwater Like other ecosystems, freshwater ecosystems are characterized by their ecosystems are characterized by their abiotic factors. abiotic factors.

What are some of these factors?What are some of these factors? An important abiotic factor in freshwater An important abiotic factor in freshwater

ecosystems is how quickly water moves.ecosystems is how quickly water moves. Why do you think this is true?Why do you think this is true?

*Pond and Lake Ecosystems*Pond and Lake Ecosystems

Life near ShoreLife near Shore

The area of water closest to the edge of a The area of water closest to the edge of a lake or pond is called the littoral zonelake or pond is called the littoral zone

Sunlight makes it possible for algae and Sunlight makes it possible for algae and plants to grow in the littoral zone. plants to grow in the littoral zone.

Algae grow beneath the surface of the water Algae grow beneath the surface of the water in the littoral zone. in the littoral zone.

The plants of the littoral zone are home to The plants of the littoral zone are home to small animals small animals – Snails, insects, clams, worms, frogs, Snails, insects, clams, worms, frogs,

salamanders, turtles, fish, and snakes salamanders, turtles, fish, and snakes

Life Away from ShoreLife Away from Shore

The area of a lake or pond that extends from The area of a lake or pond that extends from the littoral zone across the top of the water the littoral zone across the top of the water is called the is called the open-water zoneopen-water zone..

The open-water zone goes as deep as The open-water zone goes as deep as sunlight can reach. sunlight can reach.

Review- What ocean zone is this similar to?Review- What ocean zone is this similar to? This zone is home to bass, lake trout, and This zone is home to bass, lake trout, and

other fishes. other fishes.

Beneath the open-water zone is the Beneath the open-water zone is the deep-deep-water zonewater zone,, where no sunlight reaches. where no sunlight reaches.

Catfish, carp, worms, crustaceans, fungi, Catfish, carp, worms, crustaceans, fungi, and bacteria live here. and bacteria live here.

These organisms often feed on dead These organisms often feed on dead organisms that sink from above.organisms that sink from above.

*Wetland Ecosystems*Wetland Ecosystems

An area of land that is sometimes An area of land that is sometimes underwater or whose soil contains a great underwater or whose soil contains a great deal of moisture is called a deal of moisture is called a wetlandwetland..

The water in wetlands also moves deeper The water in wetlands also moves deeper into the ground. into the ground.

Wetlands help replenish underground water Wetlands help replenish underground water supplies.supplies.

– Why is this important?Why is this important?

MarshesMarshes

A treeless wetland ecosystem where plants, A treeless wetland ecosystem where plants, such as grasses, grow is called a such as grasses, grow is called a marshmarsh..

Freshwater marshes are often found in Freshwater marshes are often found in shallow areas along the shores of lakes, shallow areas along the shores of lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams. ponds, rivers, and streams.

The plants in a marsh The plants in a marsh vary depending on the vary depending on the depth of the water and depth of the water and the location of the the location of the marsh. marsh.

Where have you seen Where have you seen a marsh?a marsh?

SwampsSwamps A wetland ecosystem in which trees and A wetland ecosystem in which trees and

vines grow is called a vines grow is called a swampswamp.. Swamps are found in low-lying areas and Swamps are found in low-lying areas and

beside slow-moving rivers. beside slow-moving rivers. Most swamps are flooded part of the year, Most swamps are flooded part of the year,

depending on rainfall. depending on rainfall. Willows, bald cypresses, and oaks are Willows, bald cypresses, and oaks are

common swamp trees. common swamp trees. Where are there swamps?Where are there swamps?