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Ecological classification of fresh water
This document classifies and describes the different types of organisms found in freshwater ecosystems. It divides organisms into producers, consumers, and decomposers. It further breaks down organisms based on their life form - such as benthos, periphyton, plankton, nekton, and neuston. Locations within freshwater habitats are also classified, including littoral, limnetic, and profundal zones within ponds and lakes. Major divisions of plants and animal phyla are represented in freshwater communities. Descriptions of lentic still water bodies and the nature and communities of the littoral zone are provided.
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Ecological classification of fresh water
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- 2. Organisms in Fresh water(or any other natural habitat) are not arranged in taxonomic order (such as is followed in taxonomic text or systematic museum) some sort of classification on an ecological basis is useful
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- 5. Saprotrophs (microconsumer or decomposers) Subclassified according tonature of the organic substrate decomposed
- 6. Organisn in watermay be classified as to their life form or life habitat, base on their mode of life.
- 7. Benthos Organism attached or resting onthe bottom or living in the bottom sediments
- 8. Periphyton or Aufwuchs Organisms (both plantand animal) attached or clinging to stems
- 9. Plankton Floating organisms whose movementsare more or less dependent on current. While some of the zooplankton exhibit active swimming movements that aid in the maintaining vertical position plankton as a whole is unable to move againts appreciable currents.
- 10. Nekton Swimming organisms that ableto navigate at will(and hence capable of avoiding plankton, nets, water bottles etc.) Fish amphibians, large swimming insects and so fourth.
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- 12. Finally, organism maybe classified as to region or subhabitat. In the ponds and lakes three zones are generally evident
- 13. Littoral Zone The shallowwater region with light penetration to the bottom typically occupied by rooted plants in natural ponds and lakes but not necessarily.
- 14. Limnetic Zone The openwater zone to the depht of effective light penatration, called the compensation level which is the depth at which photosynthesis just balances respiration.
- 15. Profundal Zone The bottomand deep water area which is beyond the depth of effective light penetration. This zone is often absent in ponds.
- 16. Rapid Zone Shallow water wherevelocity of current is great enough to keep the bottom clear of silt and other loose materials, thus providing a firm substrate.
- 17. Pool Zone Deeper water wherevelocity of current is reduced and silt and other loose materials o be tend to settle to the bottom, thus provide a soft bottom.
- 18. The Fresh WaterBiota The major Divisions of plants and many of the major animal phyla are represented by one or more genera living in fresh water communities. LENTIC COMMUNITIES The biological characteristics of still water bodies. NATURE AND COMMUNITIES IN THE LITTORAL ZONE Producers Consumers
- 19. The Limnetic Zone Thelimnetic zone is the well it, open surface waters in a lake, away from the shore. The vegetation of the littoral zone surrounds this expance of open water and its above the profundal zone.
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