Marian Sanders October 7, 2013 G hour - APES

Freshwater - water that is not salty especially when considered as a natural resource Biome - a major ecosystem spread over a wide geographic area, and characterized by certain types of flora and fauna.

Elevation The elevation in freshwater varies. Elevation greatly depends on location. Most freshwater elevations range from 20,000 ft. – 1,500 ft.

Geology Waves Tides Currents Salinity Temperature light intensity nutrient concentration

Climate/Temperature Tropical to low temperate climate zones Summer: 22C, 71.6F Winter: 4C, 39.2F Temperature in water decreases with depth. Freshwater biomes contain very little salt.

Rainfall/Snowfall Average water rainfall: 10-80 inches per year

Seasonality Freshwater has semitropical climates (freezing never occurs) Summer: wet seasons Winter: dry seasons Freshwater biomes have hurricane seasons Occurs during the summer and early fall

Winds (Wind patterns in Summer and Fall) (Wind patterns in Winter and Spring)

Animals It is believed that more than 700 species of fish, 1,200 species of amphibians, mollusks, and insects all live in these areas.

Plants spike rush bull rush pickerel weed cattail water lily mangrove leaves.

Indigenous People Frogs Crabs Shrimp Turtles Tadpoles Bass Salmon Trout

Anthropogenic Problems Two anthropogenic problems of freshwater systems are pollution and habitat destruction. Pollution Runoff from agricultural and urban areas affects the water quality of biomes. Overuse and pollution threaten the groundwater supply.

Habitat Destruction People withdrawing water from freshwater biomes cause them to shrink and degrade plant and animal habitats. Building dams and water diversion systems block fish migration routes and destroy irreplaceable plants and animals.

People can help preserve freshwater biomes by curtailing dam construction, reducing the use of pesticides and other water and plant pollutants and establishing protected wetlands areas.

This graph shows the decline in freshwater ecosystems because waterways are being altered for navigation.

This graph shows the average precipitation of a freshwater biome This graph shows the average precipitation of a freshwater biome. It also show the average highs and lows.