Invertebrates+1

= __Invertebrates__ =



Invertebrates are Earth's most abundant organism, making up about 98% - 99% of all living species and about 76% of all known animal species. However, this includes land-based invertebrates as well.

Freshwater invertebrates are single or multicellular animals that do not have a backbone. They do not have an internal skeleton made of bone. Instead, they either have a fluid filled, hydrostatic skeleton, or a hard outer shell. The majority of invertebrates are primary consumers, that rely on freshwater aquatic environments for part of their life cycle. [|Cited From] ​



__What do Freshwater Invertebrates do?__ Freshwater invertebrates fulfill several important roles in maintaining the quality of freshwater ecosystems such as: Invertebrates also affect the reservoir of energy in aquatic ecosystems. They pass on the nutrients they receive that are stored in decaying organic material, microorganisms, and other invertebrates to their predators. [|Cited From]
 * Cleaning out excess living and nonliving organic matter from freshwater systems
 * Detritivores maintain the nutrient load in freshwater systems by feeding on decaying organic matter
 * Mussels filter the water, removing algae, bacteria, and other microorganisms.



__Human Impacts__ Human activities are severely damaging freshwater ecosystems, endangering many species, and threatening their biodiversity. Some of these activities include: Some freshwater invertebrates that are being affected by this include; freshwater mussels, crayfish, stoneflies, dragonflies, and damselflies. [|Cited From]
 * Runoff from agricultural areas
 * Invasion of exotic species
 * Creation of dams and other water diversions
 * Overexploitation
 * Pollution



__Common Freshwater Invertebrates in North America__
 * Arthropods


 * Bryozoans


 * Coelenterates


 * Flatworms


 * Mollusks


 * Roundworms


 * Segmented worms


 * Sponges