Which of the following does not contribute to water pollution?
Explain how the conversion of wetlands to farmland has impacted streams and rivers.
Converting wetlands to farmland removes natural water filtration and storage. It increases runoff, erosion, sediment, nutrients, and agricultural pollutants entering streams and rivers, while also increasing flooding and destroying aquatic and riparian habitat.
Compare the characteristics of rivers and streams.
Rivers and streams are flowing freshwater bodies with a current, channel, bed, and banks. Streams are usually smaller, narrower, and shallower and often flow into larger streams or rivers. Rivers are larger, carry more water, and eventually flow toward a lake, sea, or ocean.
How do streams conserve biodiversity?
Explain how current and oxygen content affect the biodiversity of streams and rivers.
Fast-moving water is usually better oxygenated because it mixes with the air, and moderate currents create varied habitats that support many organisms. Slow or stagnant water generally has less dissolved oxygen and may support less biodiversity, although some organisms are adapted to it.
How is water introduced into rivers and streams?
Water is introduced through precipitation, surface runoff, groundwater seepage and springs, and tributaries that flow into the river or stream.
Which of the following is not a characteristic of the source of rivers and streams?
Riparian foliage _______.
Explain why the middle sections of rivers have the greatest biodiversity.
The middle sections have the greatest biodiversity because they combine nutrient-rich water from upstream with adequate current, oxygen, sunlight, and diverse habitats such as pools, riffles, vegetation, and varied streambeds.
Where is light penetration in a river or stream likely to be lowest?
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