Rivers and Rivers and EstuariesEstuaries

By: Chris Fitzgerald By: Chris Fitzgerald

andand

Lindy EldredLindy Eldred

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RIVERS- Constantly moving bodies of water that vary in length and width. They can originate from oceans, springs, lakes, ponds, and glaciers. Due to the amount of sediment that is kicked up towards the mouth or beginnings of rivers, most rivers are dark and murky, and hard for sunlight to penetrate. Because of this, only life that is able to live in poor conditions, can survive in rivers.

(algae, catfish, carp, etc)

ESTUARIES- (Bays, lagoons, harbors, inlets, etc.) Enclosed bodies of water varying in size that are placed where fresh water meets salt water. (When rivers’ meet oceans’) Estuaries are not at all effected by ocean waves, storms or winds, due to the protection it is given by reefs, barrier islands, and fingers of land. Estuaries contain an abundance of diverse wildlife, including crabs, sea birds, lobsters, marine mammals and other creatures that surround the areas of estuaries.

DescriptionDescription

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Average Monthly Temperature Average Monthly Temperature for River Biomefor River Biome

Average Monthly Average Monthly Precipitation for River Precipitation for River

BiomeBiome

Map Of River and Map Of River and Estuary BiomeEstuary Biome

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Three Animals in Rivers and Three Animals in Rivers and EstuariesEstuaries

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Cladocyrans- Small crustaceans commonly found in most freshwater habitats, including lakes, ponds, streams and rivers. Most forms feed on algae like phytoplankton and other small particles that are contained in rivers.

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Bass- One of the most common species of fist found in rivers. Bass feed on other small fish or on insects or other types of small animals. They are accompanied by other common freshwater fish like salmon and trout.

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Beaver- These semi aquatic rodents are one of the many mammals that make river biomes their homes. They have a tendency to build dams in rives to protect themselves from predators. Beavers feed off of bark of nearby trees, but they can also feed on small plant life in their biomes as well.

Plants Found in the Rivers and Estuaries Plants Found in the Rivers and Estuaries

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Water Stargrass- Water stargrass is a very common freshwater aqua plant. It is a type of grass with a thin stem and alternating leaves. It can grow up to 6 feet long and forms in huge clumps and colonies. It is a Crucial plant for the river biome because it houses insects that are eaten by larger consumers.

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Willow Tree- Willows are trees with droopy leaver that grow beside river banks. Their bark plays a crucial role in being larva for numerous species of insect larva. Mainly moths and butterflies that feed on the tree. Willows prefer more temperate climates.

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Coontail- Coontail, also called hornwart is a dark green plant forming a in columns like a raccoon’s tail. The leaves are stiff and have small teeth like pointers along one edge. Coontail plays a similar role to the river biome as water stargrass does. It houses many types of small aquatic insects.

Environmental damage: Rivers and Environmental damage: Rivers and EstuariesEstuaries

RIVERS: Environmental damage is caused when there are dams and extreme flooding. Dams destroy the surrounding habitats of other creatures, and can cause drought in other areas. Flooding can ruin crops, flood streets, and even wipe out entire towns. Humans are a big reason as to why there are so many issues surrounding our rivers today.

ESTUARIES: Much of the environmental damage caused in today’s estuaries and mangroves are result of reckless human activity. Much of the pollution we release into our planet, suffocate and weaken the life within and around estuaries. Humans also continue to cut down mangroves and other areas to make room for development and the growing Shrimp Farms.

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Solutions: Rivers and EstuariesSolutions: Rivers and Estuaries

RIVERS: Some of the solutions being developed to protect rivers, is the Three-Stage Implementation Sequence created by the Natural Resources Conservation Service, to introduce residue management on cropland. This plan has already been set into motion.

ESTUARIES: The EPA has started up new programs in communities surrounding estuaries, that are made to help keep the estuaries clean and protected from outside sources. Other laws have been set into place to add extra protection to the estuaries also. Unfortunately, these laws are not as important to most of the world.

BibliographyBibliography-http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/naturalresources/DD6671.html

-http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/world_biomes.htm

-http://www.thewildclassroom.com/biomes/stream.html

-http://books.google.com/books

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http://www.greenwillowtree.com/stores/g/greenwillowtree/images/NewSet/Green%20Willow%20Tree%20home.jpg

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