Freshwater Fish An Endangered Group

What are freshwater fish? They live in freshwater with a salinity of the less than 0.05% such as rivers, lakes and streams They live in freshwater with a salinity of the less than 0.05% such as rivers, lakes and streams 41% of all known species of fish are found in freshwater 41% of all known species of fish are found in freshwater Their gills are able to diffuse water while keeping the salts of the bodily fluids inside Their gills are able to diffuse water while keeping the salts of the bodily fluids inside Their scales keep water from diffusing in through their skin Their scales keep water from diffusing in through their skin They have well developed kidneys that enable a lot of water to pass through their kidneys They have well developed kidneys that enable a lot of water to pass through their kidneys

Why are freshwater fish endangered? Their freshwater habit is being polluted Their freshwater habit is being polluted Their breeding sites are being cut off by dams Their breeding sites are being cut off by dams They are being over-fished They are being over-fished Human activities such as construction, water diversion and waterfront development are disrupting theirs and other animals eco-systems Human activities such as construction, water diversion and waterfront development are disrupting theirs and other animals eco-systems

Why are freshwater fish important to us? Freshwater ecosystems provide the majority of people’s drinking water Freshwater ecosystems provide the majority of people’s drinking water These ecosystems are home to more than 40% of the world’s fish species These ecosystems are home to more than 40% of the world’s fish species Freshwater fish are essential to freshwater ecosystems balance and without them our freshwater resources will disappear Freshwater fish are essential to freshwater ecosystems balance and without them our freshwater resources will disappear

Threats to Freshwater Fish The creation of dams and water-diversion systems block migration routes for fish and disrupt their habitats The creation of dams and water-diversion systems block migration routes for fish and disrupt their habitats Water withdrawal for human use shrinks and degrades habitats Water withdrawal for human use shrinks and degrades habitats Runoff from agricultural and urban areas hurts water quality Runoff from agricultural and urban areas hurts water quality Draining of wetlands for development depletes habitats. Draining of wetlands for development depletes habitats. Overexploitation and pollution threaten groundwater supplies Overexploitation and pollution threaten groundwater supplies Invasion of exotic species can harm native animals and plants Invasion of exotic species can harm native animals and plants Global warming may lead to devastating floods and droughts Global warming may lead to devastating floods and droughts

Solutions Restrict the construction of dams Restrict the construction of dams Provide incentives for farming business to reduce the use of pesticides Provide incentives for farming business to reduce the use of pesticides Establish protected wetland areas Establish protected wetland areas Regulate water withdrawal for human use Regulate water withdrawal for human use

What I think… Freshwater fish are important to the freshwater ecosystem. We need to ensure their survival by acting on the stated solutions. If not, freshwater fish will move from being endangered to being extinct. Freshwater fish are important to the freshwater ecosystem. We need to ensure their survival by acting on the stated solutions. If not, freshwater fish will move from being endangered to being extinct.

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The End By Allison Mulock