Chapter 3 | Basics of Freshwater Ecosystem and Physiography of Flowing Water Flashcards
the organisms (biotic) and the non-living (abiotic)
environment they inhabit.
freshwater or aquatic ecosystem
is defined by the drainage or
catchment basin in which it exists.
freshwater ecosystem—whether it be a pond,
lake, stream, or river
USEPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
a geographic area in which water,
sediments, and dissolved materials drain into a common
outlet
drainage basin
How can a drainage basin be identified?
by tracing a line along the highest elevations between two areas on a map, often a ridge
it causes streams on either side to
flow in different directions.
topographic dividing line or ridge
defines the physical transport of
water, sediment, and dissolved minerals into the common outlet,
drainage basin
a term that defines a complex system of components that affect water bodies in a given drainage basin
watershed
What is the dividing line between two drainage basins?
the Highest point of land between them
It slows the flow of water over land
Natural areas like forests and vegetation
It filters some impurities and decreased erosion
Forests and vegetation
Two general categories of freshwater ecosystem
Lotic and Lentic
Running water
Lotic
Standing water
Lentic
Has a one direction of Flow, upstream or downstream
Lotic
Has various flow, no particular direction
Lentic
Has rich in oxygen
Lotic
Oxygen depletion exists at times in deeper water
Lentic
Streams that have no tributaries flowing into them
First-order stream or headwater streams
A first-order stream joined by another first-order stream
Second-order stream