Lentic Ecosystems (Paperback)

Lentic ecosystems are the ecosystems of lakes, ponds and swamps. Included in these environments are the biotic interactions (amongst plants, animals and micro-organisms) together with the abiotic interactions (physical and chemical). Lentic refers to standing or still water. It is derived from the Latin lentus, which means sluggish. Together with lotic ecosystems, which involves flowing continental waters such as rivers and streams, these fields form the more general study area of freshwater or aquatic ecology. Lentic systems are diverse, ranging from a small, temporary rainwater pool a few inches deep to Lake Baikal, which has a maximum depth of 1740 m. The general distinction between pools/ponds and lakes is vague, but Brown states that ponds and pools have their entire bottom surfaces exposed to light, while lakes do not. In addition, some lakes become seasonally stratified (discussed in more detail below.) Ponds and pools have two regions: the pelagic open water zone, and the benthic zone, which comprises the bottom and shore regions.