Week 4a- Water

Lentic systems, which are closed environments such as ponds and lakes are susceptible to anthropogenic influences, for example, discharges of stormwater or wastewater or agricultural runoff.  Not only can the water quality by affected in terms of its chemistry but the affects are often seen to the food web which is supported by this environment.

In New Zealand, there are:

• 41 lakes with a surface area larger than 10 km² (1000 ha)
• 229 lakes greater than 0.5 km² (50 ha)
• 3820 lakes greater than 0.01 km² (1 ha)
• Largest lake: Lake Taupo – 616 km2
• Deepest lake: Lake Hauroko – 462 m