Statistics
Many factors contribute to which organisms can exist in an aquatic ecosystem. Three of the most important abiotic elements in an aquatic ecosystem are the depth of the water, the salinity of the water, and the water temperature. The typical water temperature for a wetland varies greatly, depending on where the wetland is located. Some wetlands near the equator can reach 50°C (122°F), but wetlands far from the equator can be as cold as -50°C (-58°F). The salinity of wetlands also varies greatly. The salinity of wetlands varies from very salty to fresh, again depending on where the wetland is located, and what type of wetland it is. The pattern continues with the depth of the wetlands. Their depth ranges from .5 feet to 2 feet in shallow water wetlands, to 2 or more feet in deep water wetlands.