Rivers

BIOME ASSIGNMENT BY: CHELSEA GRIMISON AND PAOLA BLANDON

PD.3

Rivers

Map

Where are these Biomes Normally Found?

Rivers can be found all over, but you will always see them near a ocean or sea. This is because most rivers flow out into the ocean. A good example of this would be the Mississippi River. It passes through the US and it flows out into the Gulf of Mexico.

Physical Characteristics

Salinity: Rivers have a low salinity because most often rivers are made up of fresh water

Temperature: The average temperature for a fast moving river would be about 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Although depending on the speed, location, and season it can vary.

Depth: Rivers vary greatly in depth. I could be 2 feet and up to 20 feet or more. For example the Mississippi River is 3 feet at its headwaters and 200 feet in New Orleans.

Water Flow: Rivers flow downhill. In lowlands meandering will occur, but it will still be in the downward motion.

Organisms that make up the Base of the Food Web

Phytoplankton, plankton, and zoo plankton.

Animals Found in Rivers

All animals- Crustaceans, worms, snails, and insects. Crustaceans such as crayfish, shrimp, some types of lobster, and certain crab species live in streams and rivers. Insect larva including the mayfly, caddisfly, and stonefly, gestate in streams. Plankton, phytoplankton and zoo plankton. Alligators and crocidiles are usually in the mouth of the river. Platypuses, frogs, and turtles are also found in rivers. Plus, many species of fish such as trout, mullets, molly’s, bully’s, and catfish are animals found in the river biome.

Major Characteristics

River Zones- Littoral zone: is the topmost zone near the

shore with a diverse community. It is the warmest because it can absorb the most heat.

Limnetic zone: Is the near surface open water surrounded by the littoral zone. This zone is filled with plankton, phytoplankton, and zooplankton.

Profundal Zone: is the coldest and sensest and little light goes through this zone. This is usually the area where dead organisms fall such as plankton.

Other Interesting Information

The longest river in the world is the Nile River. (4,175 miles)

The United States has over 250,000 rivers.A total of 3,500,000 miles of rivers is in the

United States.About 40% of rivers in the United States are

too polluted for fishing and swimming.

Bibliography

www.britannica.comlibrary.thinkquest.orgwww.uta.edu/biologywww.waterontheweb.org/resources/glossary.html

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River