Freshwater Ecosystem
A community of living things in water that is not salty, like rivers, lakes, and ponds.
What is it?
A freshwater ecosystem is a place where plants and animals live in water with very little salt. Examples include rivers, lakes, streams, and ponds. Fish like trout, bass, and catfish live there. Plants like algae and water lilies grow there. The gar fish lives in freshwater ecosystems in North America. You learned that gar fish inhabit rivers, lakes, and swamps, which are all freshwater ecosystems. Sunfish also live in freshwater ecosystems, where they eat insects and are eaten by larger fish.
Why it matters
Freshwater ecosystems provide drinking water for people and animals. They are home to many species. They also help clean water and control floods.
Where you've seen it
This list grows as you capture more freshwater exhibits.
