Water as Habitat Flashcards
Briefly explain water as a habitat
Water has less competition because it is avoided by most species. It can vary in depth, velocity, temperature and chemicals. Different niches have evolved from factors like depth.
What will happen to the flow as a water channel gets more narrow?
The flow will get faster
Which parts of a river have the highest velocity? Which have the lowest?
Center and surface have the highest velocity while the sides and bottom have the lowest.
What is discharge? What aspects impact it?
The total amount of water flowing through a channel (velocity x area/depth by width). It is influenced by rain events, catchment area and velocity
What is the difference between a pool, riffle, run and walk?
Pool: Deep and not moving - erosion
Riffle: Rocky, shallow, frothy - deposition
Runs: slightly deep with movement - erosion
Walk: Shallow pool - deposition
How have fish adapted to flow?
Stream flowed body with strong tail, flat bottom side to hover over sand and a buttress head
What is the thermocline?
Zone of rapid temperature change in water as depth increases. Often influenced by land use, thermo-shock and input sources like rain
How is temperature and oxygen content related?
The hotter the water, the less oxygen because the molecules are moving faster and being emitted to the atmosphere. Also because heat make fish more active so they use more oxygen
How does sediment range?
Clay, silt, sand, gravel, cobble (fine to coarse) which brings different organisms (mussels like sand, sculpin like rocks)
What are the stream orders?
First: Start of where water shows, typically narrow, shaded and cold.
Second: Two first orders connect
Third: Two second orders connect
And so on!
Orders 6 - 9 are wide sunny and warm
What is ephemeral? Why is it important?
Ephemeral is the temporary loss of water (normally in summer) important because it shows the influence of seasons on habitat and effects what lives there.
