flowing-water+ecosystems

=__** Flowing Water Ecosystem **__= By: Jake and Mariotoc

Description:
Flowing water [|ecosystems] often originate in [|mountains] or [|hills]. A flowing water ecosystem is any type of water that has a constant flow over top of land. Some examples are [|waterfalls], [|creeks], [|streams], and [|rivers]. A prime example of a flowing water system is a [|Hydropower]. Hydropower is a power derived from a force of energy of moving water. The water at the source is very turbulent in which plants can not survive there. If there are no plants, the area can not support living species in the water. Farther down the stream there are [|sediments] for the plants to root their selves in as the water slows. This is where animals such as [|otters], [|beavers], and [|turtles], make their homes at.

Waterfalls:
A [|waterfall] is a formation of land where flowing water rapidly drops in [|elevation] as it flows over a steep region or a cliff. Waterfalls are formed when soft rock underneath the hard rock and water erodes the soft rock away. A [|plunge pool] is formed at the bottom. The overhanging hard rock falls into the plunge pool and is broken down and carried off in the rest of the river. This is a continuous cycle.



Creeks:
A creek, like a stream, is smaller than a river. It is affected by the flow of [|ocean tides]. A creek also has variable [|salinity] and [|electrical conductivity] over the [|tidal cycle.]

Rivers:
A river is the largest flowing water ecosystem there is. It is also a natural water source. Usually consists of fresh water and it frequently flows into a lake, ocean, sea, or into another river. A river is a part of the[| hydrological cycle]. The water in a river, in most cases, is collected from [|precipitation] through surface runoff, ground water, and springs. In rivers, same as streams, you can find [|aquatic plants], various types of fish, and various [|invertebrates]. These invertebrates include [|larvae], may flies, and beetles.



Streams:
A stream is a body of water with a current. This current is confined within a stream bed. In most cases a stream is always less than 18 meters wide. In streams you could find aquatic plants, various types of fish, and stream invertebrates.

Animals in a Flowing-Water Ecosystem:
With the strong waters in a flowing water ecosystem, an animal must adapt to the flow. Fish will generally hide beneath or beside rock to avoid being moved down stream. Most insects with attach themselves to aquatic plants to hold on. Also, [|carnivores] would not be able to survive entirely in a flowing-water area. Most of the creatures living in the streams, creeks, or rivers are [|amphibians] and [|reptiles].



Video:
media type="youtube" key="9EnB8oxG_0A" height="385" width="480"

Work Cited:
http://inchinapinch.com/hab_pgs/fr_water/frwat_pg.htm http://www.waterencyclopedia.com/Da-En/Ecology-Fresh-Water.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydropower http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stream http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creek

Pictures:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:WaterfallCreationDiagram.svg http://torontoist.com/2007/08/walk_and_discov_6.php http://www.microsoft.com/nz/windows/bliss/default.mspx http://www.weblo.com/property/real_estate/Stream/2258787/