Freshwater Ecosystems: Lotic vs. Lentic PDF

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Summary

Lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and wetlands that have a low salt concentration (usually below 1%) and serve as habitats are called freshwater ecosystems. The two major divisions of freshwater ecosystems are the lentic ecosystems and the lotic ecosystems....

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Freshwater Ecosystems Lakes, ponds, rivers, streams and wetlands that have a low salt concentration (usually below 1%) and serve as habitats are called freshwater ecosystems. The two major divisions of freshwater ecosystems are the lentic ecosystems and the lotic ecosystems. Lentic ecosystems (LLPB) 

water is still

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made up of ponds, marshes, ditches, lakes and swamps.

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range in size from very small ponds or pools that may be temporary, to large lakes.

Lakes and ponds (Three different zones) 1. The littoral zone 

closest to the shore

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light is able to reach to the bottom, making this warmest area.

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The abundance and diversity of plants and animals living in this zone are the food for the other, larger animals that reside there.

2. Limnetic zone 

still receives plenty of sunlight.

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very rich in microorganisms called plankton. o

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plants (phytoplankton) and animals (zooplankton).

As you get deeper into the limnetic zone, less light is present.

3. Profundal Zone 

much colder and denser region

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there is little light that makes it all the way down.

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photosynthesis is less prominent. o

Lack of photosynthesis means the plants here die.

4. Benthic zone 

bottom area of the lentic ecosystems

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dead and decaying organisms fall from above, and are consumed by the bottom-dwelling animals.

Lotic ecosystems 

characterized by flowing waters.

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Examples include rivers, streams, brooks and springs.

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oxygen level is higher due to the continually moving waters of the current and the water is clearer.

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flow of the water is different depending on the area of a river or stream.

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must have atmospheric gases, turbidity, longitudinal temperature gradation and material dissolved in it.

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This impacts what type of plants and animals can live in those areas.

2 MAIN ZONES: 1. POOLS- deeper water, slower currents 2. RAPIDS- fast water, clearer bottom DIFFERENCES BETWEEN LENTIC AND LOTIC LOTIC shallower, more complex narrow last thousands year high current velocity Water is fed by lower order streams, rains, precipitation, melt, snow and springs. lower salt content higher species diversity

LENTIC less complex deeper, circular broader Last few thousands year lower velocity higher order streams, lotic waters such as rivers, creeks, etc. higher salt content Low species diversity

References: https://www.wonderworksonline.com/science-library/ecology-environment/freshwater-ecosystems/ https://sciencing.com/lentic-lotic-ecosystems-7355077.html https://biologyeducare.com/lotic-ecosystem/...