nonaquatic

Nonaquatic is an adjective used in biology and ecology to describe organisms, life stages, or ecosystems that do not depend on water for survival. It designates life forms that are not adapted to aquatic environments, as opposed to aquatic organisms whose physiology and behavior are shaped by water.

Etymology: The term combines the prefix non- meaning not with aquatic, which derives from Latin aqua, "water," and the adjectival suffix -ic.

Usage: In practice, nonaquatic is used to contrast terrestrial, aerial, or desert-adapted organisms with those that live in, or require, water. It is more common in descriptive notes or comparative ecology than as a formal taxonomic category.

Examples: Many mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects are nonaquatic, as are most land plants. In contrast, dolphins, fish, amphibians, aquatic insects, and aquatic macrophytes are considered aquatic.

Limitations and nuance: Some species are only intermittently exposed to water or have aquatic life stages, making their classification as nonaquatic imprecise. In such cases, more specific descriptors—terrestrial, semi-aquatic, amphibious—may be preferred.