Ponds and Lakes, Envirothon

1. Ponds
and
Lakes

2. Characteristics of a Pond
Size Body of water shallow enough for rooted plants
Water Depth Shallow; usually about the same throughout
Water Temp Fairly even from top to bottom
Changes depending on time of day and season
Physical Characteristics Muddy bottom
Quiet surface
Less oxygen is present than in moving water
Plants Floating (float on top)
Emergent (rooted on bottom, but emerge
from water)
Submersed (grow completely under water)

3. Characteristics of a Lake
Size Too deep to support rooted plants except near shore
Some have waves
Water Depth Varies and can be deep in parts
Water Temp Varies from the surface to the bottom during the summer
Most don’t freeze, due to size
Temps at surface are warmest
Bottom layer can get to 40 degrees
Physical Characteristics Water in shallowest zone has the most species due to temp

4. Similarities
Both
-Lentic Ecosystems (still water)
-Open bodies of fresh water
-Surrounded by land
-Have several habitat zones
-Provide habitats

5. Similarities
Both
Have 3 Zones
1. Littoral
2. Limnetic
3. Benthic

6. Differences
Ponds Lakes
-Water depth varies -Deeper water
-Sunlight reaches bottom -water temp varies at different
-Mosquito breeding ground depths
-Lots of amphibians -Higher oxygen levels
-Eventually fill in

7. Pond or Lake?

8. Pond or Lake?
More oxygen due to
water movement

9. Lake

10. Pond or Lake?
Shallower water

11. Pond

12. Pond or Lake?
Plentiful amphibians

13. Pond

14. Pond or Lake?
Water temps vary at
different levels

15. Lake

16. Pond or Lake?
Mosquito breeding ground

17. Pond

18. Pond or Lake?
Some have waves

19. Lake

20. Pond or Lake?
Plants grow off the
bottom

21. Pond

22. Pond or Lake?
Sunlight reaches the bottom

23. Pond

24. Pond or Lake?
Water temps can be
40 degrees at the bottom

25. Lake

26. Pond or Lake?
Lentic Ecosystem

27. Both

28. Pond or Lake?
Temperature changes
depending on the time
of day or season

29. Pond

30. Pond or Lake?
Water is about same depth
throughout

31. Pond

32. Pond or Lake?
Usually don’t freeze in
winter

33. Lake

34. Pond or Lake?
Open bodies of
fresh water

35. Both

36. Pond or Lake?
Eventually fill in

37. Pond

38. Pond or Lake?
Quiet surface

39. Pond