Ponds

Ponds are small, artificial inland bodies of freshwater.  They differ from lakes in that they do not connect to a river or stream.  They contain any number of different plant and animal species, depending on what the caretaker decides should be there.

Lakes

Lakes are large, inland, freshwater biomes that teem with life.  Lakes connect to streams, resulting from channels dug by the glaciers thousands of years ago.

Rivers

Rivers are large, deep flowing freshwater biomes that are a collection of smaller streams.  Their water is deeper and often filled with sediments, which make them appear murky.  They end at another water channel, at a lake or the ocean.

Streams

Streams are smaller, flowing freshwater biomes that often begin on mountains, resulting from snowmelt.  Their water is clearer and shallower than rivers.

Wetlands

Freshwater wetlands are areas of standing water that supports aquatic plants.  They support aquatic bird populations, help reduce erosion, restock groundwater supplies and catch surface runoff from farmer’s fields.

REFERENCES

The Freshwater Biome

http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/freshwater.php

Difference Between a Lake and a Pond

http://www.essortment.com/all/differencebetwe_rnpj.htm

Wetland Facts

http://www.wetlandswatch.org/wet_facts.asp