What's What When it Comes to Water
A brief explanation of three different types of water
The Composition and Characteristics of Freshwater
Wetlands are places such as marshes and swamps. It is a standing water that enables many different kinds of plants. Excluding salt marshes, wetlands have a freshwater ecosystem which supports the most diverse group of animals and plants than all other ecosystems. The plants and animals that thrive in freshwater are accustomed to the low salt concentration making them unable to survive in other water ( i.e. saltwater). So in a salt marsh the species of animals and plants would differ greatly.
Ponds and lakes are also great examples of fresh water. Although they support freshwater ecosystems, many ponds and lakes have different species because they are separated from one another. Most ponds are seasonal and come and go whereas lakes can last hundreds of years - this gives lakes the ability to give home and life to many different animals and plants for long periods of time.
Finally, streams and rivers. These are both bodies of water that are moving in one direction. Streams and rivers are unique because not only can they be found everywhere, but at different points in rivers and streams there are completely different kinds of life being sustained.
Freshwater
Brackish Water
Saltwater
What is Brackish Water?
Characteristics of Saltwater
Due to the composition of salt water it is denser than pure water and freshwater. And unlike brackish water, it is able to sustain large ecosystems with various kinds of plants and animals.