An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with each other and their environment. Freshwater ecosystems are a subset of Earths aquatic ecosystems, which include lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, springs, bogs, and wetlands. They can be contrasted with marine ecosystems, which have a larger salt content. Freshwater habitats can be classified by different factors, including temperature, light penetration, nutrients, and vegetation. There are three basic types of freshwater ecosystems:

• Lentic: Slow-moving water, including pools, ponds, and lakes.
• Lotic: Faster-moving water, for example, streams and rivers.
• Wetlands: Areas where the soil is saturated or inundated for at least part of the time.

Freshwater ecosystems contain 41% of the worlds known fish species. They naturally share resources between habitats. For example, the ecosystems in rivers and streams bring salts and nutrients from upstream to downstream habitats.

Freshwater ecosystems have undergone substantial transformations over time, which has impacted various characteristics of the ecosystems. Early monitoring focused on chemical indicators, then bacteria, and finally algae, fungi, and protozoa.

River ecosystems are flowing waters that drain the landscape, and include the biotic (living) interactions amongst plants, animals, and micro-organisms, as well as abiotic (nonliving) physical and chemical interactions of its many parts. River ecosystems are part of larger watershed networks or catchments, where smaller headwater streams drain into mid-size streams, which progressively drain into larger river networks.

Freshwater ecosystems provide habitats for various plant and animal species. Wetlands provide shelter to various amphibians, reptiles, birds, shrimp, shellfish, etc. . The freshwater ecosystem is a habitat for various plant and animal species. One of the major reasons is that it is quite rich in terms of nutrition and minerals. The freshwater ecosystem is less saline, unlike the marine ecosystem. The freshwater ecosystem contains sediments at the bottom. In gentle flowing freshwater bodies or still water bodies, the sediments remain in place. The freshwater ecosystem provides a suitable environment for various species of flora and fauna.

In conclusion, freshwater ecosystems are a subset of Earths aquatic ecosystems that provide habitats for various plant and animal species. They can be classified into three basic types: lentic, lotic, and wetlands. They have undergone substantial transformations over time, which has impacted various characteristics of the ecosystems.