Final answer:
Only 1.2% of Earth's fresh water is found in surface water like rivers, streams, lakes, and marshes, with lakes making up about 0.86% and rivers 0.02%. Most of the planet's water is in the oceans as saltwater, with a significant amount frozen in ice caps and glaciers, making accessible fresh surface water a comparatively scarce resource.
Step-by-step explanation:
Approximately 1.2% of the Earth's fresh water is found in surface water sources like rivers and streams, lakes, and marshes. While more than 70 percent of Earth's surface is covered with water, less than three percent of this water is fresh. Of the available fresh water, the vast majority is locked up in ice caps and groundwater. This leaves only a small fraction of fresh water accessible in surface water forms which are critical for most of life's needs including drinking, growing crops, raising livestock, and supporting urban communities.
Lakes account for approximately 0.86% and rivers represent around 0.02% of Earth's fresh water. Despite the abundance of water on our planet, the minute proportion that is fresh and readily available highlights the importance of sustainable water management and conservation practices to ensure that this crucial resource remains available for generations to come.