Ch. 7 Key Terms Flashcards
Wetland
An area of land that is periodically underwater.
Plankton
Organisms that cannot swim against currents, so they are drifters.
Nekton
Free swimming organisms such as fish and whales.
Benthos
Bottom-dwellers such as muscles, worms, and barnacles.
Littoral Zone
The nutrient-rich zone near the shore that has diverse aquatic life.
Benthic Zone
The bottom layer of a lake or pond that is inhabited by decomposers, insect larvae, and clams.
Eutrophication
An increase in the amount of nutrients.
Estuary
An area in which fresh water from a river mixes with saltwater from the ocean.
Salt Marsh
Thousands of acres of salt marsh support a community of clams, fish, and birds.
Mangrove Swamp
Help to protect the coastline from erosion and reduce the damage from storms.
Barrier Island
Run parallel to sandy shores. Help to protect the mainland and the coastal wetlands from storms and ocean waves ad often provide habitat for wildlife.
Coral Reef
Limestone ridges built by tiny coral animals called coral polyps and the algae that live inside them.
