What is considered a primary indicator of healthy freshwater ecosystems?

The diversity of species present in a freshwater ecosystem is a vital indicator of its health. A healthy aquatic environment typically supports a wide variety of organisms, including fish, invertebrates, amphibians, and plants. This biodiversity is essential for the stability and resilience of the ecosystem, allowing it to better withstand environmental changes and disturbances.

A diverse range of species also contributes to the overall functionality of the ecosystem, facilitating important processes such as nutrient cycling, energy flow, and biological interactions. When multiple species inhabit the same ecosystem, it tends to indicate a balanced environment where different niches are filled, promoting interactions that sustain ecosystem health.

In contrast, high levels of pollutants compromise ecosystem integrity and can lead to reduced biodiversity, impairing organisms' survival capacity. A monoculture of specific fish species suggests an imbalance, where only one species thrives at the expense of others, indicating a potential decline in ecosystem health. Fewer aquatic plants can disrupt habitat availability and food resources, further diminishing biodiversity. Thus, the presence of diverse species remains the most reliable sign of a healthy freshwater ecosystem.