Biology Tutorials > Freshwater Ecology > Still Freshwater & Plants

Still Freshwater & Plants

Still freshwater and plants

Plants adapted on a still freshwater habitat

Plants in the freshwater community provide a means of food for herbivores and harness new energy into the community as a whole via photosynthesis from available sunlight. Plants are usually the pioneers of a new ecosystem, and therefore a bustling freshwater environment will have an abundance of plants.

The ecological niche alongside the still water banks is occupied by plants called hydroseres, which are partially, or totally submerged by water along the banks. Some of these hydroseres are rooted in the water, though some of their leaves penetrate the water surface, while others float on the surface, one side in contact with the water, the other side in contact with the open-air environment. In essence, hydroseres possess evolutionary adaptations and dithering respiration rates from land plants that have allowed them to adapt to live in such an environment. Such evolutionary adaptations in plants ha meant that their physical structure has changed to suit the environment, and therefore making freshwater plants distinctly unique in appearance.

An example of these adaptations is the lack of rigid structures in freshwater plants. This is due to the density of the water (much higher than that of an open-air environment), which ‘pushes’ against the plant in its daily life. This allows such plants to be more flexible against oncoming water tides and prevents damage to the plant.

As plants require a minimum concentration of gases in their diet such as carbon dioxide, they require a degree of buoyancy so that contact can be made with the open-air environment. Adaptations may include:

  • Air Spaces – Air spaces in the plant will decrease density and increase buoyancy.
  • Broad Leaves – Broader leaves will spread their weight more evenly across the water surface allowing them to float.
  • Waxy Cuticle – On the upper half to allow water to run off the surface to prevent the weight of the water dragging the leaves under the surface.

As these plants are either partially or totally submerged in water, their transpiration rate is very different from that of land plants. Such adaptations allow the freshwater community plants to cope with these conditions and thrive. However, alterations to the transpiration rate of these plants have proved essential, as without these adaptations they would not be able to maintain their water balance. This is continued on the next tutorial, though related information can be found in the Plant Water Regulation in the Adaptation tutorial.

 

Credit: QweQweSociety

Quiz

Choose the best answer.

1. The ecological niche alongside the still water banks is occupied by hydroseres.

2. Plants in the freshwater community provide a means of food for other plants.

3. Plants harness energy from the sun through photosynthesis.

4. Air spaces in the plant decrease density and increase buoyancy.

5. Freshwater plants develop rigid structures to become more flexible and withstand water tides.

Send Your Results (Optional)

Your Name
To Email
Biology Tutorials > Freshwater Ecology > Still Freshwater & Plants

You will also like...

Sugar Homeostasis
Sugar Homeostasis

The blood sugar level is regulated by two hormones. The mechanism behind this type of negative feedback control is descr..

Lights' Effect on Growth
Lights’ Effect on Growth

This tutorial elaborates on the effect of light on plant growth. It describes how different plants require different amo..

Pollution in Freshwater Ecosystems
Pollution in Freshwater Ecosystems

There are many environmental factors that arise due to the usage of water in one way or another and for every action tha..

Mātauranga Māori and Science Collaboration
Mātauranga Māori and Science

Mātauranga Māori is the living knowledge system of the indigenous people of New Zealand, including the relationships t..

New Zealand Flora & Fauna
Ecology & Biodiversity: New Zealand Flora & Fauna

New Zealand is known for its unique biodiversity, caused by its remarkable geography and geologic history. Breaking away..

bryophyte - sporophyte and gametophyte
Meiosis and Alternation of Generations

Plants are characterized by having alternation of generations in their life cycles. This tutorial is a review of plant m..