Emergent Plants: Rooted underwater with streams and leaves
that will emerge above the water surface
- Arrow Head
- Water Lilies
Shoreline Vegetation: Found in shallow shoreline areas
- Cattail
- Reed
Open Water Vegetation: Thrive in open water
- Algae
- Duckweed
Lakes/ Ponds
There are three zones in a freshwater lake. The topmost zone
near the shore is called the littoral zone. This zone it the warmest since it
is shallow and can absorb more of the sun’s heat. It sustains a diverse
community of plant life, which include algae, rooted, and floating aquatic
plants.
The near surface open water is surrounded by the littoral
zone is the limnetic zone. This zone is mostly dominated by phytoplankton.
The last zone is the profundal zone. This is in the deepest
part of the lakes/ponds. Depending on the depth it is the coldest and most
dense part. Very little light penetrates to this zone so there is no plant
life.
Streams/Rivers
At the source of a river or stream the temperature is very
cool, the water is clear, and it has higher oxygen levels. Towards the middle
part of a stream/river, the width increases as does the diversity. There are
numerous aquatic green plants and algae. Towards the mouth the water becomes
murky from sediments that have picked upstream decreasing the amount of light
that can penetrate through water. Less light = Less flora
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