Location
The prairies of the Great Plains of North America, the pampas of South America, the veldt of South Africa, the steppes of Central Eurasia, and surrounding the deserts in Australia
usually less than
1%. Plants and animals in freshwater regions are adjusted to the low salt content
and would not be able to survive in areas of high salt concentration (i.e, ocean
ponds and lakes, streams and
rivers, and wetlands.
Ponds and
lakes may have limited species diversity since they are often isolated from
one another and from other water sources like rivers and oceans. Lakes and ponds
are divided into three different “zones” which are usually determined
by depth and distance from the shoreline.
The vegetation and animals living in the littoral zone are food
for other creatures such as turtles, snakes, and ducks.
Without aquatic plankton,
there would be few living organisms in the world, and certainly no humans.
A variety of freshwater fish also occupy this zone.
Temperature varies in ponds and lakes seasonally. During the summer, the
temperature can range from 4° C near the bottom to 22° C at the
top. During the winter, the temperature at the bottom can be 4° C while
the top is 0° C (ice)
Since there is less
light, there is less diversity of flora, and because of the lower oxygen levels,
fish that require less oxygen, such as catfish and carp, can be found.
Marshes,
swamps, and bogs are all considered wetlands.
Plant species adapted to the
very moist and humid conditions are called hydrophytes. These include pond
lilies, cattails, sedges, tamarack, and black spruce. Marsh flora also include
such species as cypress and gum.
Wetlands have the highest species diversity
of all ecosystems. Many species of amphibians, reptiles, birds (such as ducks
and waders), and furbearers can be found in the wetlands.