Freshwater Vocabulary

Question 1

Area of land where all of the water that falls in it and drains off of it goes to a common outlet:

Answer 1

Watershed

Question 2

A river or stream that flows into a larger river or stream

Answer 2

Tributary

Question 3

Source where a river begins, usually in the mountains or in higher elevations

Answer 3

Headwaters

Question 4

The end of a river where a river flows into a larger body of water

Answer 4

Mouth of a River

Question 5

Photosynthetic algae found near the surface of the ocean

Answer 5

Phytoplankton

Question 6

Microscopic animals that swim or drift near the surface of aquatic environments

Answer 6

Zooplankton

Question 7

An area periodically covered in water and has NON woody plants

Answer 7

Marsh

Question 8

Wetland with WOODY plants

Answer 8

Swamp

Question 9

Wetland that does not contain fish

Answer 9

Vernal Pool

Question 10

Aquatic organisms that dwell at the bottom of the water

Answer 10

Benthic

Question 11

Aquatic organisms that break down dead organisms

Answer 11

Decomposers

Question 12

Portion of a lake or pond near the shore

Answer 12

Littoral

Question 13

Form of water pollution. Can occur when excessive use of fertilizers run into lakes and rivers, which increases growth of algae and other aquatic plants

Answer 13

Cultural Eutrophication

Question 14

Portion of a lake or pond that refers to top open waters

Answer 14

Limnetic

Question 15

Portion of a lake or pond that refers to deeper, darker waters

Answer 15

Profundal

Question 16

Free swimming organisms

Answer 16

Nektonic

Question 17

Wide, flat floodplain and many bends where it deposits soil

Answer 17

Old River

Question 18

A fast flowing river characterized by a deep, narrow erosion pattern forming a V shaped channel or valley

Answer 18

Youthful River

Question 19

A river that has a wide channel and few falls and rapids and is fed by many tributaries

Answer 19

Mature River

Question 20

A strip of land alongside a river or stream where plants are grown to help slow down erosion

Answer 20

Riparian Buffer Zone

Question 21

Areas of land, such as marshes and swamps, that are covered with freshwater for at least part of each year

Answer 21

Freshwater Wetlands

Question 22

Soils that indicate wet conditions; usually grey in color due to low oxygen levels (acidic soil)

Answer 22

Hydric Soils

Question 23

Plants that have adapted to living in or on aquatic environments

Answer 23

Hydrophytic

Question 24

An area of low-lying land that is flooded in wet seasons or at high tide, and typically remain waterlogged at all times. (non woody plants)

Answer 24

Marsh

Question 25

A wetland ecosystem in which shrubs and trees grow

Answer 25

Swamp

Question 26

Areas of wet, spongy ground. Sphagnum moss and acidic peat are found here

Answer 26

Bogs

Question 27

Why are wetlands important?

Answer 27

Good purifiers of wastewater, flood prevention, and habitats for wildlife

Question 28

Species that enter new ecosystems and multiply, harming native species and their habitats. Purple loosestrife, carp, and melaleuca trees are examples of invasive species

Answer 28

Invasive Species

Question 29

Bottom of a water source such as a lake, pond, or ocean

Answer 29

Benthos

Question 30

A convergence or a coming together such as rivers converging together

Answer 30

Confluence