Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Definition
An aquatic ecosystem refers to a community of organisms that live and interact with each other in a water environment, such as oceans, lakes, rivers, or wetlands.
These are microscopic plants that float in water bodies and form the base of the aquatic food chain.
Coral reef: A coral reef is a diverse underwater ecosystem formed by colonies of tiny animals called coral polyps.
Wetland: A wetland is an area where land meets water and is characterized by unique soil conditions and vegetation adapted to living in saturated conditions.