Ch. 7 Key Terms Flashcards
Wetland
An area of land that is periodically underwater or whose soil contains a great deal of moisture.
Plankton
The mass of mostly microscopic organisms that float or drift freely in the waters of aquatic (freshwater and marine) environments.
Nekton
All organisms that swim actively in open water, independent of currents.
Benthos
Organisms that live at the bottom of oceans or bodies of freshwater.
Littoral Zones
A shallow zone in a freshwater habitat where light reaches the bottom and nurtures plants.
Benthic Zone
The bottom region of oceans and bodies of freshwater.
Eutrophication
An increase in the amount of nutrients such as nitrates in a marine or aquatic ecosystem.
Estuary
An area where freshwater from the river mixes with salt water from the ocean, the part of a river where the tides meet the river current.
Salt Marsh
A maritime habitat characterized by grasses, sedges, and other plants that have adapted to continual, periodic flooding. Salt marshes are found primarily throughout the temperate and subarctic regions.
Mangrove Swamp
A tropical or subtropical marine swamp that is characterized by the abundance of low to tall trees, especially mangrove trees.
Barrier Island
A long ridge of sand or a narrow island that lies parallel to the store.
Coral Reef
A limestone ridge found in tropical climates and composed of coral fragments that are deposited around organic remains.
