Groundwater-dependent ecosystems

An ecosystem is a community of living organisms interacting with the nonliving aspects of their environment (such as air, soil, water, and even groundwater).

[1] There are a variety of methods for classifying types of groundwater-dependent ecosystems either by their geomorphological setting and/or by their respective groundwater flow mechanism (deep or shallow).

[6] Arid to humid terrestrial environments with no standing water but deeply rooted vegetation relies upon groundwater to support the producers of their ecosystem.

The deeply rooted vegetation requires the groundwater to maintain a consistent or semi-consistent level to allow for their continued health and survival.

[9] Due to the increase in populated areas estuaries and other aquatic ecosystems face a greater threat of pollution.

In many cases groundwater can become polluted through toxins, or even just excessive amounts of certain nutrients seeping down to the water table.