Scientists refer to all above-ground freshwater environments with moving water as lotic ecosystems.

This term encompasses a wide range of water bodies, including:

* Rivers: Large, flowing bodies of water that typically drain a watershed.

* Streams: Smaller, flowing bodies of water that may be tributaries to rivers.

* Creeks: Even smaller, flowing bodies of water.

* Springs: Natural sources of water that flow from the ground.

* Brooks: Small, shallow streams.

Lotic ecosystems are characterized by their unidirectional flow of water, which creates distinct physical and biological conditions compared to lentic ecosystems (standing water bodies like lakes and ponds).