Ecosystems are sub-categorised into size and scale and can be spread across vast areas like forests, seas and deserts or small and contained ponds and fish tanks. An aquatic ecosystem is an ecological system that initiates interactions among organisms in water-dominated environments. Marine and freshwater ecosystems are the two primary types of aquatic ecosystems . Freshwater environments can be lentic (including pools, ponds, and lakes), lotic (including streams and rivers), or wetland (areas where the soil is saturated or inundated for at least part of the time). Learn about the types, functions and threats of aquatic ecosystems, which are ecosystems found in and around water. Compare marine and freshwater ecosystems, and their subcategories such as lentic, lotic and wetlands. An aquatic ecosystem includes freshwater habitats like lakes, ponds, rivers, oceans and streams, wetlands, swamp, etc. and marine habitats include oceans, intertidal zone, reefs, seabed and so on. The aquatic ecosystem is the habitat for water-dependent living species including animals, plants, and microbes. Also Read: Pelagic Zone
