What is an aquatic habitat and how does it support life?

An aquatic habitat is a water-based environment where plants and animals live. It includes freshwater habitats such as ponds, lakes, and rivers, as well as saltwater habitats such as seas and oceans.

Aquatic habitats support life by providing water, dissolved oxygen, food sources, shelter, and suitable conditions for organisms adapted to living in water. For example, fish use gills to take in oxygen dissolved in water, while aquatic plants have features that help them grow and survive in watery surroundings.

The conditions within an aquatic habitat determine the types of plants and animals that can live and reproduce there.