Ecological features of running and standing waters

Question 1

In erosional systems, how are the littoral and central zones distinguished?

Answer 1

There is very little distinction

Question 2

What type of input dominates erosional systems?

Answer 2

Allochthonous

Question 3

Describe the biotic community in erosional systems

Answer 3

Epibenthic algae, benthic macro invertebrates, fish

Question 4

How does high flow impact the biota in erosional systems?

Answer 4

Prevents rooted macrophytes and phytoplankton

Question 5

How do erosional systems support an aerobic community?

Answer 5

The sediment is coarse and oxygenated.

Question 6

Give three examples of predatory insects that are attracted by the aerobic biota in erosional systems

Answer 6

Plecoptera (stoneflies), trichopteran (caddisflies), ephemeroptera (mayflies)

Question 7

What type of habitats are found in erosional systems?

Answer 7

Pool and riffle habitats

Question 8

Describe pool habitats

Answer 8

Deep, slow-flowing water

Question 9

Describe riffle habitats

Answer 9

Turbulent (shallow and fast) water flowing over rocks

Question 10

What is the difference between the littoral and central zones in depositional systems?

Answer 10

Emergent macrophytes in the littoral zones

Question 11

What is a Riparian Corridor?

Answer 11

The vegetations that grows near a body of water

Question 12

What happens when the Riparian Corridor is removed from a depositional environment?

Answer 12

Water temperature increases

Question 13

What type of input is dominant in depositional systems?

Answer 13

Autochontous (although can be even)

Question 14

What does low flow rate in depositional systems support?

Answer 14

Rooted (benthic) macrophytes

Question 15

What type of community is found at the littoral zone in depositional systems?

Answer 15

Neuston

Question 16

Define Neuston

Answer 16

Organisms that live at the water surface

Question 17

Why do depositional environments have anoxic conditions and what do they support?

Answer 17

Fine sediments result in anoxic conditions, supporting anaerobic heterotrophs

Question 18

Name four conditions that biological communities have to adapt to in water systems

Answer 18

Substrate, velocity, hard water, dissolved oxygen

Question 19

Name two characters that biological communities can change to adapt to their environment

Answer 19

Body shape and functional feeding group

Question 20

Name four functional feeding groups

Answer 20

Shredders, grazers, filterers, predators

Question 21

Name four adaptations that fish have made to adapt to their environment

Answer 21

Streamlining, use of large stones on substrate, use of refuges, including trees and macrophytes, and variable DO requirements

Question 22

Name three ways that large allochthonous particles enrich freshwater ecosystems

Answer 22

They can be colonised by bacteria and fungi, provide micronutrients, broken down by shredders

Question 23

Describe the river continuum concept

Answer 23

A water system is an open ecosystems that is in constant interaction with the bank, is constantly changing, and is always moving from source to mouth.

Question 24

What does the river continuum concept say about the size of a body of water?

Answer 24

It increases as it moves away from the mouth

Question 25

What does the river continuum concept say about the transfer of organic matter in freshwater ecosystems?

Answer 25

Organic matter is transferred from erosional areas to deposition areas

Question 26

How do macro invertebrates react to pollutants?

Answer 26

They have a varied sensitivity and tolerance.

Question 27

What is the WHPT index used for?

Answer 27

An index of river invertebrate quality