Table of ContentsPonds and LakesRivers and StreamsWetlandsClimateImportance of FreshwaterFreshwater BiomesPonds and LakesThese regions vary in size from a few square meters to thousands of square kilometers. Scattered across the earth, many are remnants of the Pleistocene glaciation. Many ponds are seasonal, lasting only a few months (like sessile pools), while lakes can exist for hundreds of years or more. Ponds and lakes can have limited species diversity because they are often isolated from each other and from other water sources like rivers and oceans. Lakes and ponds are divided into three different zones, usually determined by depth and distance from shore. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”?Get the original essayRivers and streamsThese are bodies of water that flow in one direction. Streams and rivers can be found wherever they originate upstream, which may be springs, snowmelt or even lakes, and then travel to their mouth, usually another water channel or the ocean. The characteristics of a river or stream change as it travels from source to mouth. The temperature is cooler at the source than at the mouth. The water is also clearer, has higher oxygen levels and freshwater fish like trout and heterotrophs are found there. Towards the middle part of the stream or river, the width increases, as does the diversity of species. Many aquatic green plants and algae can be found. Toward the mouth of the river or stream, the water becomes cloudy from all the sediment it has picked up upstream, decreasing the amount of light that can penetrate through the water. As there is less light, there is less diversity of flora and, due to lower oxygen levels, one can find fish that need less oxygen, such as catfish and carp. Wetlands Wetlands are areas of standing water that support aquatic plants. Marshes, swamps and bogs are all considered wetlands. Plant species adapted to very humid conditions are called hydrophytes. These include water lilies, cattails, sedges, tamarack and black spruce. Swamp flora also includes species such as cypress and gum. Wetlands have the greatest species diversity of any ecosystem. Many species of amphibians, reptiles, birds and furbearers can be found in wetlands. Wetlands are not considered freshwater ecosystems because some, such as salt marshes, have high concentrations of salt. These are home to different species of animals, such as shrimp, shellfish and various herbs. Climate You need to understand the difference between weather and climate before getting into the details of the climate of freshwater biomes, weather refers to the changing daily atmospheric conditions, while climate refers to depending on the weather conditions on a certain period, usually a year, average temperatures in summer vary from 17 to 23 degrees Celsius and 3 to 8 degrees in winter. Importance of fresh fresh water Maintaining fresh water biomes and their climates is important to humans and animals. Most of the water that humans drink and use for bathing and other activities comes from freshwater sources. Freshwater biomes also contain diverse flora and fauna, such,.