temperature affects aquatic biota
3.0 Effects of temperature on aquatic biota. Temperature has long been recognized as an important environmental factor in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in regard to its pivotal role over biological activity (development, growth and reproduction).emperature reductions to stream environments in winter may result from the loss of insulation of the forest canopy under clear-cut conditions in combination with increased radiant cooling; accelerated freezing may lead to anchor ice formation and minimize interstitial habitat for juvenile fish (Hicks et al.