Terminology Flashcards
Aphotoic Zone
The area in the water column where there is less then or equal to 1% of light that enters the water surface. (metalicnion and hypolimnion)
Photic Zone
The area in the water column that is at least 1% or greater then that entering the water surface
Benthic zone
The bottom of a water body where sediment is deposited
Benthos
The animal community of the bottom of a water body.
Epifauna
Animals on the surface of sediments
Infauna
Animals in sediments
Dystrophic Water
Humic water, brown colored because of dissolved organic material. Often acidic and nutrient poor.
Eutrophic Water
Water with high nutrient content with high production and susceptible to algae blooms and poor water quality
Epilimnion
The surface layer of a water body that has the same temperature throughout its depth. (stratified layer)
Hypolimnion
The deep cool portion of a water body below the metalimnion with little light for photosynthesis.
Lentic Systems
Standing water where flow is determined by wind and heat and not unidirectional.
Littoral Zone
The shore of lakes where sediments lie within the photic zone and is dominated by macrophytes.
Lotic System
Moving water usually in one direction imposed by gravity
Macrophytes
Community of multicellular emergent and submerged plants found in the literal zone.
Mesotrophic Water
Water with moderate nutrient content.
Thermocline AKA Mealinmion
The transition layer between epilimnion and the hypolimnion where temperature decreases with depth
Nekton
Free swimming animals independent of wave or current action
Oligotrophic Water
Water with low nutrient content resulting in low algae production and high water quality
Pelagic Zone
Open water beyond the literal zone
Plankton
Microscopic community in open water composed of phytoplankton (Plant), bacterioplankton, and zooplankton (animal)
Pleuston
organisms living on the surface of water (E.g water striders)
Seston
All particulate in a water column divided into three groups: Living, inorganic and non-living organic
Wetlands
Transitional zones between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems covered for most of the year with shallow water and rooted fauna.
