Aquatic Environment

1
Aquatic Environment

• Lotic and Lentic

2
Lotic

• Ponds and Lakes
• Difference is the depth of the water
• vegetation

3
Lentic

• Streams and Rivers
• Depth

4
Growth of Rivers

• From Headwaters to the mouth
• Tributaries
• Ist order
• 2nd order
• Confluence
• 3rd order

5
3 areas of a river

• Upper Reaches
• Greatest Slope of River
• Channel is straight and V shaped
• Riparian Zone very narrow
• Canopy forming trees
• Strong swimming organisms and hangers
• Rapids and riffles

6
Middle Reaches

• Moderate Slope
• U shaped channel
• Riparian Zone Widens and forms a flood plain
• Great habitat variety
• Good sunlight

7
Lower Reaches

• Gently Slope
• Steady flow
• Deep wider u shaped channel
• Turbidity?

8
River Habitats

• Surface Film
• Open water
• Bottom
• Edge