Glossary

Michigan Environmental Education Curriculum
River and Stream Ecosystems

Aquatic Organisms

An organism (animal or fish) that lives or depends on the water for survival or reproduction.

Commercial Fishing

The act of fishing with the intent to make a profit from selling the catch to consumers.

Crevice

A narrow crack or opening.

Ecosystem

The living organisms and the nonliving environment interacting in a given area.

Erosion

The wearing away of land or soil by the action of wind, water, or ice.

Exotic Fish

Plants or animals introduced into a community that are not native to the area.

Fish Passages

Any artificial flow passage that fish negotiate by swimming or leaping.

Habitat

The place or community where a plant or animal lives and grows.

Hydroelectric Dams

Dams that use the water from rivers to produce electricity.

Invertebrates

Animals that lack a backbone, including molluscs, (eg. clams), crustaceans (eg. crabs), insects, and worms.

Juvenile

A juvenile is any fish that is not yet sexually mature.

Larva

The first stage of development after hatching for many fish and invertebrates.

Larvae

Plural of larva.

Lotic

Flowing waters, including creeks, streams, and rivers.

Migration

Movement, usually seasonal, from one region or climate to another for the purpose of feeding or breeding.

Native Fish

A fish species which developed and evolved in a particular area.

Nutrients

Food needed for growth by living things.

Peak Discharge

Large daily fluctuations in the amount of water being released by the dam.

Predators

Animals that prey on other animals for their food.

Sediment

Fine soil or mineral particles that settle to the bottom of the water or are suspended in it.

Synonyms

Words or phrases which have the same meaning.

Threatened Species

A species that is likely to become endangered if not protected.

Water Current

The flow of water in a river.

Yolk-sac

A source of food for fish species before they can begin feeding with their mouth.

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