Rivers and Estuaries

1
Rivers and Estuaries

• By Chris Fitzgerald
• and
• Lindy Eldred

2
Description
RIVERS- Constantly moving bodies of water that
vary in length and width. They can originate from
oceans, springs, lakes, ponds, and glaciers. Due
to the amount of sediment that is kicked up
towards the mouth or beginnings of rivers, most
rivers are dark and murky, and hard for sunlight
to penetrate. Because of this, only life that is
able to live in poor conditions, can survive in
rivers. (algae, catfish, carp, etc)
ESTUARIES- (Bays, lagoons, harbors,
inlets, etc.) Enclosed bodies of water varying in
size that are placed where fresh water meets salt
water. (When rivers meet oceans) Estuaries are
not at all effected by ocean waves, storms or
winds, due to the protection it is given by
reefs, barrier islands, and fingers of land.
Estuaries contain an abundance of diverse
wildlife, including crabs, sea birds, lobsters,
marine mammals and other creatures that surround
the areas of estuaries.
3
Average Monthly Temperature for River Biome
4
Average Monthly Precipitation for River Biome
5
Map Of River and Estuary Biome
6
Three Animals in Rivers and Estuaries
Cladocyrans- Small crustaceans commonly found in
most freshwater habitats, including lakes, ponds,
streams and rivers. Most forms feed on algae like
phytoplankton and other small particles that are
contained in rivers.
Bass- One of the most common species of fist
found in rivers. Bass feed on other small fish or
on insects or other types of small animals. They
are accompanied by other common freshwater fish
like salmon and trout.
Beaver- These semi aquatic rodents are one of the
many mammals that make river biomes their homes.
They have a tendency to build dams in rives to
protect themselves from predators. Beavers feed
off of bark of nearby trees, but they can also
feed on small plant life in their biomes as well.
7
Plants Found in the Rivers and Estuaries
Water Stargrass- Water stargrass is a very common
freshwater aqua plant. It is a type of grass with
a thin stem and alternating leaves. It can grow
up to 6 feet long and forms in huge clumps and
colonies. It is a Crucial plant for the river
biome because it houses insects that are eaten by
larger consumers.
Willow Tree- Willows are trees with droopy leaver
that grow beside river banks. Their bark plays a
crucial role in being larva for numerous species
of insect larva. Mainly moths and butterflies
that feed on the tree. Willows prefer more
temperate climates.
Coontail- Coontail, also called hornwart is a
dark green plant forming a in columns like a
raccoons tail. The leaves are stiff and have
small teeth like pointers along one edge.
Coontail plays a similar role to the river biome
as water stargrass does. It houses many types of
small aquatic insects.
8
Environmental damage Rivers and Estuaries
RIVERS Environmental damage is caused when there
are dams and extreme flooding. Dams destroy the
surrounding habitats of other creatures, and can
cause drought in other areas. Flooding can ruin
crops, flood streets, and even wipe out entire
towns. Humans are a big reason as to why there
are so many issues surrounding our rivers
today. ESTUARIES Much of the
environmental damage caused in todays estuaries
and mangroves are result of reckless human
activity. Much of the pollution we release into
our planet, suffocate and weaken the life within
and around estuaries. Humans also continue to cut
down mangroves and other areas to make room for
development and the growing Shrimp Farms.
9
Solutions Rivers and Estuaries
RIVERS Some of the solutions being developed to
protect rivers, is the Three-Stage Implementation
Sequence created by the Natural Resources
Conservation Service, to introduce residue
management on cropland. This plan has already
been set into motion. ESTUARIES The EPA has
started up new programs in communities
surrounding estuaries, that are made to help keep
the estuaries clean and protected from outside
sources. Other laws have been set into place to
add extra protection to the estuaries also.
Unfortunately, these laws are not as important to
most of the world.
10
Bibliography
-http//www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/natural
resources/DD6671.html -http//www.blueplanetbiomes
.org/world_biomes.htm -http//www.thewildclassroom
.com/biomes/stream.html -http//books.google.com/b
ooks -http//www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology
/monthly/graph/US044013 -http//www.sciencephoto.
com/image/409227/530wm/C0099169-Water_flea-SPL.jpg
-http//www.landbigfish.com/images/fish/LBF_Large
_Bass.jpg -http//animal.discovery.com/mammals/bea
ver/pictures/beaver-picture.jpg -http//pics.daves
garden.com/pics/2008/07/27/bonitin/d15025.jpg -htt
p//www.plant.photos.net/images/c/cf/Water_Stargra
ss.jpg http//www.greenwillowtree.com/stores/g/gre
enwillowtree/images/NewSet/Green20Willow20Tree2
0home.jpg -http//aquaplant.tamu.edu/plant-identif
ication/alphabetical-index/ -http//www.lrp.usace.
army.mil/nav/images/mont_aerial.jpg