Flowing Water Habitats Creeks, streams, and rivers The flow of the water influences the lives of the organisms inhabiting the waters and the physical characteristics of the stream. 08.jpg Headwaters: streams that join together and form a river Near headwaters river usually flow fast and currents are swift Rocky bottom Higher levels of D.O. due to flow and temperature of the water. Velocity decreases River gets wider and wider Meanders become common (curves) Pools: where water is deeper and slows down, filled with fine sediments Riffles: faster, shallower with rocky bottom Run: fast flowing water, deeper water The meandering Tigre River, Argentina. PHOTOGRAPH REPRODUCED BY PERMISSION OF THE CORBIS CORPORATION Read more:Basins-to-Volcanoes/Stream-and-River.html#ixzz1147UMeyXhttp://www.scienceclarified.com/landforms/Ocean- Basins-to-Volcanoes/Stream-and-River.html#ixzz1147UMeyX gif water/Meander_processes.jpg Flat stretches of land on either side of a slow moving river During storms, rivers overflow and flood these areas When water recedes deposits of rich sediment are left behind ; fertile land Less oxygen Warmer temperature Communities of catfish, algae, turtles, dragonflies and other organisms that can live in lower DO. Usually empties into an ocean or a lake. Water slows even more Sediment is deposited and creates new land called a delta. Where a river meets an ocean, freshwater mixes with salt water, an estuary is formed. Estuaries are important nurseries for lots of aquatic organisms. g In temperate regions, leaves and other plant parts (Coarse particulate organic matter or CPOM) are the main source of energy available to the stream ecosystem. Headwaters: more CPOM Benthic invertebrates: shredders and collectors Fish: trout (colder more oxygenated water) Near headwaters: high O 2, colder temperatures, CPOM Further downstream: lower O 2, warmer temperatures, FPOM Affects which species flourish in a given area Down stream: Fine particulate organic matter (FPOM) washed down from headwaters Algae (both filamentous and planktonic) and plants are more common because of slower water and more sunlight. Few shredders, more collectors and grazers. Fish: Carp and catfish, tolerate lower D.O. and warmer temperatures.