Ecology of Lakes and Wetlands

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the ecology of lakes and wetlands, including definitions of important terms and processes.

Lakes

Basins in the landscape that collect water.

Littoral Zone

Shallow margins of a lake, often containing rooted vascular plants, known as macrophytes.

Pelagic Zone

Open deep water of a lake, which is thermally stratified.

Eutrophication

The process where lakes receive excessive nutrient runoff, leading to high algae growth and oxygen depletion.

Thermal Stratification

Separation of water layers in a lake by temperature, impacting oxygen distribution.

Algal Bloom

Rapid increase in algae in water bodies, often associated with high nutrient levels.

Benthic Habitat

The ecological region at the lowest level of a water body, consisting of sediments.

Wetlands

Areas of land whose soil is saturated with moisture, supporting vegetation adapted to hydric conditions.

Water-Quality Protection Service

Wetlands slow and filter water moving down the landscape, reducing flooding and pollution of surface waters.

The Killer Squeeze

A scenario in eutrophic lakes where oxygen depletion due to algae growth squeezes out fish habitat.