Ecosystems
Freshwater, Brackish Water, and Saltwater
Freshwater Ecosystem
This ecosystem includes mainly environments such as lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, etc. Only 3% of the world has a freshwater environment. Freshwater ecosystems also consist of a combination of still water and flowing water.
Brackish Water Ecosystem
This ecosystem has more salt water than a freshwater ecosystem but not as much as a seawater ecosystem. The environment of this system results from mixing seawater with freshwater or may occur in brackish fossil aquifers. Brackish water is also the primary waste product of the salt degrading process. Without proper management of this ecosystem as well, it can harm the environment and various plant species.
Saltwater Ecosystem
Compared to freshwater, saltwater ecosystems have a much larger salt composition, having more than 50 parts per thousand of dissolved salts. The environments of saltwater ecosytems mostly include oceans, coral reefs, and estuaries. Substances from this ecosystem are used in many products such as ice cream, medicine, shampoo, gasoline and cosmetics. It also controls weather patterns because most of Earth's solar energy is stored in the ocean.