Freshwater Life

Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2013, David Coates and Jacquie Grekin, CBD,   "The Youth Guide to Biodiversity" 1st Edition (Chapter 7) Youth and United Nations Global Alliance. Reproduced with permission.

Chapter 7. Verbatim.

“Freshwater biodiversity”, at the species level, includes life which is very obviously living in freshwater but also includes life which is adapted to live in or around freshwater habitats. Examples include:

• Fish 

• Amphibians (e.g. frogs and salamanders) 

• Wetland-dependent mammals (e.g. hippopotamuses (see box: “The Hippopotamus”), river dolphins (see box: “River Dolphins: Species in Danger”), porpoises, seals, otters, moose, beaver, manatees)

• Waterbirds (e.g. pelicans, flamingos, cranes, ducks, geese) 

• Reptiles (e.g. crocodiles, turtles) 

• Insects (e.g. dragonflies, mosquitoes) 

• Aquatic plants and plants rooted in water but with stems and leaves that emerge from the water

There are also many plants which are adapted to life in or near freshwater habitats, other than those permanently living underwater. This includes peat, sedges (tall grass-like plants, including papyrus), mangroves and rice (see box: “Rice Paddies: Farmed Wetlands”).