Freshwater plants provide nutrition to other aquatic life.
A variety of freshwater plants is found all across the world. Freshwater habitats include ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, bogs, swamps and marshes. Various vegetation fills wetlands. Some provide vital nutrition for aquatic life and humans. Rice is a wetland plant that about half of the world's population depends on for food.
Types
There are three major types of freshwater plants. Some plants root in the mud in the middle of the body of water; some have roots that float freely in the water; and the rest root in the mud along the edge, which are a mix between terrestrial and aquatic plants. Plants that root in mud are referred to as submerged aquatic plants. Plants with roots that float freely are referred as floating aquatic plants and plants that are found growing on the sides of freshwater banks are referred to as bog plants.
Species
Each type of freshwater plant has a handful of commonly found species. Floating aquatic plants include red stemmed, jumbo water hyacinth, water lettuce, frogbit and parrot's feather. Submerged aquatic plants include red ludwigia, vallisneria, anacharis and cabomba. Bog plants include elephant ears, rushes, Louisiana irises, cannas, palms, papyrus, bog irises and arrowheads.
Benefits
Freshwater aquatic plants are beneficial to the other aquatic life in their environment. These plants use nutrients, light and carbon dioxide to produce oxygen that once released is dissolved directly into the water. They remove unwanted toxins found in the water, which could be harmful to the surrounding fish and animals. They prevent bacteria and algae from building up and clouding the water. Freshwater plants also shelter aquatic life by providing shade, regulating the overall temperature of the surrounding water. Dropped seeds, fruit and plant shoots provide food and nutrients to other aquatic life.
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