The Aquatic Biomes
Water links up to all five biomes and it makes up the largest part of the world, covering around 75% of the Earth's surface. Aquatic regions house numerous species of plants and animals, both large and small. Water is so vital that without water, most life forms wouldn't be able to service without it and everything would be desert-like place. Although water temperatures can vary widely, aquatic areas tend to be more humid and the air temperature on the cooler side. |
Streams and Rivers
Streams and rivers can be found everywhere—they get their starts at headwaters, which may be springs, snow melt or even lakes, and then travel, usually to another water channel or the ocean. The characteristics of a river or stream change during the journey from the source to the ocean or stream. The temperature is cooler at the source than it is at the ocean or steam. The water is also clearer, has higher oxygen levels, and freshwater fish like trout can be found there.
Towards the middle part of the stream/river, the width increases, as does species diversity—numerous aquatic green plants and algae can be found. Toward the mouth of the river/stream, the water becomes murky from all the sediments that it has picked up upstream, decreasing the amount of light that can penetrate through the water. Since there is less light, there is less diversity of flora, and because of the lower oxygen levels, fish that require less oxygen, such as catfish and carp, can be found. |