chapter 7. Flashcards
wetland
a distinct ecosystem that is flooded by water, either permanently or seasonally, where oxygen-free processes prevail
PLANKTON
the diverse collection of organisms found in water that are unable to propel themselves against a current
nekton
aquatic animals that are able to swim and move independently of water currents.
benthos
is the community of organisms that live on, in, or near the seabed, river, lake, or stream bottom, also known as the benthic zone
littoral zone
is the part of a sea, lake, or river that is close to the shore.
benthic zone
the ecological region at the lowest level of a body of water such as an ocean, lake, or stream, including the sediment surface and some sub-surface layers.
eutrophication
s when a body of water becomes overly enriched with minerals and nutrients which induce excessive growth of algae.
estuary
the tidal mouth of a large river, where the tide meets the stream.
salt marsh
a coastal salt marsh or a tidal marsh, is a coastal ecosystem in the upper coastal intertidal zone between land and open saltwater or brackish water that is regularly flooded by the tides
mangrove swamp
a distinct saline woodland or shrubland habitat formed by mangrove trees in brackish tidal water.
barrier isLand
are coastal landforms and a type of dune system that are exceptionally flat or lumpy areas of sand that form by wave and tidal action parallel to the mainland coast.
coral reef
an underwater ecosystem characterized by reef-building corals. Reefs are formed of colonies of coral polyps held together by calcium carbonate.