This document defines and describes lotic systems. Lotic systems include streams and rivers, which are flowing bodies of water. Key characteristics of lotic systems are that the water flows in one direction, from upstream to downstream; the channels are narrower and longer than lakes; and the flowing water continually deepens and widens the channel over time. Lotic systems have shorter water retention times than lentic systems like lakes, due to the constant movement of water.

1. Lotic systems
classification of Lotic

2. water
 What is water
 A colorless,trasprent ,orderless liquids

3. water
 What are water source
 1)surface water
 2)ground water

4. Lotic system
 1)surface water =water that collects on the
surface of the ground
 Ex=river , stream
 2)ground water=groundwater is water that is
located below the earth's surface
 surface water can be lentic and lotic
 Surface water can be lotic and lentic

5. LOTIC SYSTEM
A. What are lotic systems?
Lotic environments include streams and rivers.
Flowing waters are very diverse, not only in size but i
n characteristics.

6. Characteristics of a Lotic System
 Flow in one direction (downhill)

7. Characteristics of a Lotic System
 Narrower and longer than lakes

8. Characteristics of a Lotic System
 Flowing water continually cuts into the channel,
making it deeper and wider as it ages

9. Characteristics of a Lotic System
 Water temperature from top to bottom is usually
the same
 Water doesn’t stay put for very long

10. Characteristic Streams (Lotic System) Lakes (Lentic System)
Water flow One direction of flow, upstream to downstrea
m
Various flows, no particular direction
General Depth Shallower on average Deeper than average
Size Description Narrower and longer Wider and shorter
Changes in shape / depth over time Stream continually cuts into the channel, maki
ng it longer, wider, and deeper
Lakes become shallower over time from deposi
ting sediments
Age progression Age progression of a stream goes from young s
tream, narrow and shallow, to mature stream,
wider and deeper
Age progression of a lake or pond goes from la
ke to marsh or swamp to land
Water retention time (how long it holds w
ater)
Shorter retention time for water (b/c it’s alway
s flowing)
Longer retention time for water (because it sto
res water)
Temperature characteristics Top and bottom waters generally have the sam
e temperature (b/c of the constant mixing)
May have different temperatures from the top
to bottom (b/c it has layers based on density)
General Differences Between Streams and Lakes