What is the Freshwater Biome?

What is the Freshwater Biome?
Written by S. Mithra
WiseGeek.com

The freshwater biome is a low-saline, or sweetwater, aquatic biome that covers one fifth of the earth's surface. Streams, rivers, swamps, bogs, ponds, lakes, ditches, puddles, and canals comprise the tributaries of the freshwater biome. Animals and plants in this biome might reside along the bank, beneath open water, on the surface of the water, or move between water and an adjacent biome.

Precipitation and melted ice feed the freshwater biome. It's responsible for all the world's drinking water, and therefore must be protected and conserved. The associated ecosystems depend on the freshwater biome to complete their reproductive cycle, protect them from harsh sunlight, or provide nutrients. In a still body of water, like a lake, the littoral zone is located near the shore or bank, and the limnetic zone is out in the open water. These zones generally have different flora and fauna.

Please visit the website for the rest of the article.

Comments: 0
Votes:27