IndexPonds and LakesRivers and StreamsWetlandsClimateImportance of FreshwaterFreshwater BiomesPonds and LakesThese regions range 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 and last only a couple of months (like sessile pools), while lakes can exist for hundreds of years or more. Ponds and lakes may have limited species diversity as they are often isolated from each other and from other water sources such as rivers and oceans. Lakes and ponds are divided into three different zones, usually determined by depth and distance from the coast. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayRivers and StreamsThese are flowing bodies of water that move in one direction. Streams and rivers can be found anywhere they originate from sources, 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 along the way from source to mouth. The temperature is cooler at the source than at the mouth. The water is also clearer, has a higher oxygen content and freshwater fish such as trout and heterotrophs can be found there. Towards the central part of the stream or river the width increases, as well as the diversity of species numerous green aquatic plants and algae can be found. Towards the mouth of the river or stream, the water becomes cloudy from all the sediment it has collected upstream, decreasing the amount of light that can penetrate through the water. Because there is less light, there is less diversity of flora, and due to lower oxygen levels, fish that require less oxygen can be found, such as catfish and carp. Wetlands Wetlands are areas of standing water that support aquatic plants. Swamps, marshes and marshes are all considered wetlands. Plant species adapted to very wet and humid conditions are called hydrophytes. These include water lilies, cattails, sedges, tamarack, and black spruce. The marsh flora also includes species such as cypress and rubber. Wetlands have the highest species diversity of all ecosystems. Many species of amphibians, reptiles, birds and fur-bearing animals can be found in wetlands. Wetlands are not considered freshwater ecosystems since there are some, such as salt marshes, that have high concentrations of salt. These support different species of animals, such as shrimp, crustaceans and various grasses. ClimateYou need to understand the difference between weather and climate before going into the details of the climate of freshwater biomes, weather refers to the change in daily weather conditions, while climate refers to the weather conditions over a certain period of time, usually a year, average temperatures in summer range from 17 to 23 degrees Celsius and from 3 to 8 degrees during winter. Important for freshwater Maintaining freshwater biomes and their climates is important for 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 as algae, which form the basis for the rest of the food chain. Plants that thrive in freshwater are a food source for animals and also provide oxygen through photosynthesis, especially in summer. Freshwater fish that feed on plants and insects are often the main food source for humans too. From the human perspective, freshwater biomes not only provide food and water, but,.