Lotic systems

classification of Lotic

water What is water A colorless,trasprent ,orderless liquids

water What are water source 1)surface water 2)ground water

Lotic system 1)surface water =water that collects on the

surface of the ground Ex=river , stream 2)ground water=groundwater is water that is

located below the earth's surface surface water can be lentic and lotic

Surface water can be lotic and lentic

LOTIC SYSTEMA. What are lotic systems?Lotic environments include streams and rivers.Flowing waters are very diverse, not only in size but in characteristics.

Characteristics of a Lotic System

Flow in one direction (downhill)

Characteristics of a Lotic System

Narrower and longer than lakes

Characteristics of a Lotic System

Flowing water continually cuts into the channel, making it deeper and wider as it ages

Characteristics of a Lotic System

Water temperature from top to bot-tom is usually the same

Water doesn’t stay put for very long

Characteristic Streams (Lotic System) Lakes (Lentic System)Water flow One direction of flow, upstream to down-

streamVarious flows, no particular direction

General Depth Shallower on average Deeper than averageSize Description Narrower and longer Wider and shorterChanges in shape / depth over time Stream continually cuts into the channel, mak-

ing it longer, wider, and deeperLakes become shallower over time from de-positing sediments

Age progression Age progression of a stream goes from young stream, narrow and shallow, to mature stream, wider and deeper

Age progression of a lake or pond goes from lake to marsh or swamp to land

Water retention time (how long it holds water)

Shorter retention time for water (b/c it’s al-ways flowing)

Longer retention time for water (because it stores water)

Temperature characteristics Top and bottom waters generally have the same temperature (b/c of the constant mixing)

May have different temperatures from the top to bottom (b/c it has layers based on density)

General Differences Between Streams and Lakes