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Canada GeeseCanada geese come in for a landing, aiming to get their feet wet despite the morning chill. Freshwater habitats are critical for these migratory birds, which suffered from wetland destruction and overhunting in the early 20th century. In more recent years, however, the geese have proven adept at living in human-made aquatic habitats like golf courses, parks, and airports—becoming a permanent nuisance, and water quality problem, at some locales.

Photograph by Mike Fladeland, Your Shot

Aquatic Species

Freshwater ecosystems, including lakes, river, and wetlands, cover less than one percent of the planet, yet an astonishing array of plant and animal species call them home.