What is the difference between a lotic and a lentic wetland?
Running Water (Lotic) Wetlands vs. Still Water (Lentic) Wetlands To distinguish between the aquatic ecosystems of wetlands in the semiarid and arid interior West, the terms lotic and lentic were defined. Lotic wetlands are associated with running water systems such as rivers, streams, and drainageways. Such wetlands contain a defined channel and floodplain. The channel is an open conduit which periodically, or continuously, carries flowing water, dissolved and suspended material. Beaver ponds, seeps, springs, and wet meadows on the floodplain of, or associated with, a river or stream are part of the lotic wetland. Lentic wetlands are associated with still water systems. These wetlands occur in basins and lack a defined channel and floodplain. Included are permanent (e.g., perennial) or intermittent bodies of water such as lakes, reservoirs, potholes, marshes, ponds, and stockponds. Other examples include fens, bogs, wet meadows, and seeps not associated with a defined channel. Several
