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Kōrero: Life in fresh water

Lake Taupō

Image
Lake Taupō

Aquatic vegetation on the lakebed is often concentrated around the margins – to the depth that light penetrates. This is known as the littoral zone. Lake Taupō has relatively clear water, and aquatic vegetation can be seen growing at some depth as the lakebed falls away. In very clear lakes such as Lake Wakatipu, mosses can be found growing at depths of 60 metres. In turbid (muddy) lakes light cannot penetrate so far, and plants can only grow in shallower waters.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Department of Conservation

Reference: 10052517

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Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Roger Young, Life in fresh water – Factors affecting life in fresh water, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/11643/lake-taupo (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Roger Young, i tāngia i te 1 March 2009.