Stream and river ecosystems

Streams and rivers are flowing water ecosystems,in which all the living forms are specially adapted to different rates of flow .some plants and animals ,such as snails and other burrowing animals,can withstand the rapid flow of the hill-streams.Other species of ifsh like the Mahseer,go beetles and skaters ,can live only in slower moving water .Some species of plants and animals ,like water upstrean form rivers to hill-streams for bredding.They need crystal-clear water to be able to breed.

As deforestation occurs in the hills,the water in the streams that once flowed throughout the year becomes seasonal .This leads to flash-floods in the rains and a shortage of water once the streams dry up after the monsoon.

The community of flora and fauna of strems and rivers depends on the clarity.Flow and Oxygen content,as well as the nature of their beds.The stream or river can have a sandy,rocky or muddy bed,each type having its own species of plants and animals