Plants:
* Algae: Microscopic plants forming the base of the food chain.
* Aquatic plants: Water lilies, cattails, reeds, and other plants rooted in the bottom or floating on the surface.
* Mosses and liverworts: Found in shaded areas and along shorelines.
Animals:
* Fish: A vast array of species, from tiny minnows to large bass and catfish.
* Amphibians: Frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts spending part of their life in water.
* Reptiles: Snakes, turtles, and alligators in some regions.
* Insects: Dragonflies, damselflies, water beetles, mayflies, and many more.
* Crustaceans: Crayfish, shrimp, and other small creatures with hard shells.
* Mollusks: Snails, mussels, and clams.
* Worms: Earthworms, leeches, and other invertebrates.
* Plankton: Tiny organisms drifting in the water column, including zooplankton (animals) and phytoplankton (plants).
* Birds: Ducks, geese, herons, kingfishers, and others that rely on freshwater for food and nesting.
* Mammals: Beavers, otters, muskrats, and other mammals living near or in water.
Other:
* Bacteria and fungi: Important decomposers breaking down organic matter.
Specific freshwater habitats:
* Lakes: Large bodies of water with diverse plant and animal life.
* Rivers and streams: Flowing water with varying currents, temperatures, and habitats.
* Ponds: Smaller, shallower bodies of water often with stagnant water.
* Wetlands: Areas with saturated soil, such as swamps, marshes, and bogs.
This is just a small sample of the vast array of life found in freshwater. The specific organisms present will vary depending on the location, climate, and water conditions.