Aquatic ecology and Biodiversity

Unit 9- Freshwater environment

9.3. Types of freshwater systems
There are different types of freshwater systems viz. ponds and lakes, streams and rivers, and wetlands. Based on the movement of water, it is generally grouped into lentic and lotic water systems. The lentic water bodies include all standing water systems such as ponds, lakes and wet lands or swamps, whereas the lotic systems include all flowing water systems such as small streams and rivers.

Types of freshwater
• Lentic: slow-moving water, including pools, ponds, and lakes.
• Lotic: rapidly-moving water, for example streams and rivers.