Aquatic Ecosystem

Community of living organisms interacting with their environment in a body of water.

An aquatic ecosystem is a community of living organisms (plants, animals and microorganisms) that interact with each other and their physical environment within a body of water.

Pronunciation

/ˌækwætɪk ˈiːkəˌsɪstəm/

Etymology

Derived from Latin 'aqua' meaning water and Greek 'oikos' meaning home or place.

Explain Like I’m 5

An aquatic ecosystem is like a watery neighborhood where fish, plants, and other creatures live together and depend on each other and their environment like lakes, rivers, or oceans.

Fun Facts

Coral reefs are the most diverse aquatic ecosystems on Earth
Some aquatic plants, like kelp, can grow over 100 feet long
Wetlands act as natural filters, cleaning the water

FAQ

What is an aquatic ecosystem? It includes all living things and their physical environment in a body of water
What are examples of aquatic ecosystems? Lakes, rivers, oceans, and ponds are all examples
How do organisms interact in an aquatic ecosystem? They rely on each other for food, shelter, and reproduction

Synonyms — Similar or Related Terms

water ecosystem

Hypernyms — Broader Categories

ecosystem biome

Hyponyms — Specific Examples

lake pond river ocean wetland

Meronyms — Parts or Components

water plants animals microorganisms

Holonyms — Wholes or Groups

biosphere Earth

Indexes

natural ecosystem natural object

Built by Tim Jones