1. Compiled by: Angie Moline, Colorado State University GK-12 Program Introduction to Stream Ecology

2. Water on Earth Volume (km 3 )% of TotalResidence Time Oceans1,370,000,00097.6137,000 yrs. Ice Caps29,000,0002.0816,000 yrs. Groundwater4,000,0000.29300 yrs. Fresh lakes125,0000.0091-100 yrs. Saline lakes104,0000.00810-1,000 yrs. Soil moisture67,0000.005280 days Water vapor14,0000.00099 days Rivers1,2000.0000912-20 days

3. Hydrologic Cycle Runoff Precipitation Evaporation Groundwater Ocean Lakes/Rivers

4. Streams and Rivers

5. Invertebrate Functional Feeding Groups Functional GroupFeeding MechanismDominant Food Resource Example ShreddersChew conditioned plant tissue or gouge vascular plants Coarse pieces of decomposing (or live) organic matter, such as leaf litter Pteronarcys CollectorsFilter particles from the water column or gather them from depositional areas Fine particles of decomposing organic matter, such as bits of leaf litter and algae, bacteria and feces Hydropsychidae GrazersGraze rocks and wood surfaces Periphyton – attached algae and associated microflora Ameletus PredatorsCapture and engulf prey or ingest body fluids Animal tissueOdonata

6. Stream Food Webs Riparian plants Leaf Litter Grazer Predator Algae & Leaves Fish

7. River Continuum Concept Headwaters Streams –heavily shaded, leaf litter is important –shredders / collectors are abundant Mid-order Streams –less shaded, algae more important –grazers abundant Large Rivers –not shaded, phytoplankton present –collectors important