Water habitats fact sheet | Field of Mars EEC

Water as habitat

In a bushland environment, fresh water is found in creeks, ponds and puddles from rain. Some animals don’t need a permanent water source because they gain the water they need from their food, such as leaves or other animals. Many predators also feed on fresh water animals. 

Natural or built ponds provide habitat and water to many animals. Some frogs require a permanent source of water such as a pond for them to complete their life cycle.

Natural or built ponds provide habitat and drinking water for many animals. Some frogs require a permanent source of water, such as a pond, to complete their life cycle. 

Water can act as a spawning, nursery and nesting site. Animals such as frogs and dragonflies rely on water to complete their life cycle, beginning as eggs in bodies of fresh water.

Water can be used for spawning, nursery and nesting sites. Animals such as frogs and dragonflies rely on water to complete their life cycle, beginning as eggs in bodies of fresh water.

Pacific black ducks feed on plants growing in or under water. They often make their nest in reeds growing in the middle of a waterway.

Fallen logs create habitat next to creeks and rivers that are used by ducks and reptiles.

When logs fall into the water they become habitats for fish, tortoises and many aquatic invertebrates.

Dragonflies

In a similar way to frogs, dragonflies spend part of their life cycle in water. Adult dragonflies lay their eggs in or near fresh water such as ponds, streams or lakes. The larvae or nymphs that hatch from the eggs live in the water around plants and rocks.

Adult dragonflies live on land. They lay their eggs in fresh water.

Dragonfly nymphs live in fresh water. They prey upon water-dwelling insects, worms, fish and tadpoles and are themselves an important food source for larger insects, fish and water birds.

Related fact sheets

Habitats

• Habitat fact sheet – overview
• Leaf litter habitats fact sheet – leaf litter that collects along creek and pond edges.
• Rock and log habitats fact sheet – rocks and logs beside and within waterways.

Species linked with water habitats

• Eastern snake-necked turtle fact sheet – uses logs and ponds.
• Dusky moorhen fact sheet – water bird using ponds and creeks.
• Pacific black duck fact sheet - a common duck often seen in creek habitats.
• Striped marsh frog fact sheet – rely on ponds to complete their life cycle.

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