Aquatic Environments

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to aquatic environments, including marine and freshwater ecosystems, zones, and types of bodies of water, based on the provided lecture notes.

Aquatic Environment

Covers most of the Earth.

Continental Shelf

The underwater landmass extending from a continent, forming a relatively shallow area.

Lakes

Bodies of standing freshwater.

Rivers

Flowing bodies of freshwater.

Estuary

A marine environment where a river meets the ocean.

Intertidal Zone

A marine environment that alternates between dry and wet conditions due to tides.

Oceanic Pelagic Zone

The open water column of the ocean.

Coral Reefs

Large communities of animals that support high levels of biodiversity.

Abyssal Zone

The deep marine zone located below the oceanic pelagic zone.

Photic Zone

An aquatic zone that receives sunlight.

Aphotic Zone

An aquatic zone that does not receive sunlight.

Benthic Zone

The bottom of a lake, river, or ocean where organisms live.

Neritic Zone

The part of the oceanic zone located over the continental shelf.

Pelagic Zone

The entire water column of an aquatic environment, encompassing both photic and aphotic zones.

Marine Environments

Broad term for saltwater ecosystems like oceans and intertidal zones.

Freshwater Aquatic Environments

Ecosystems including lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and wetlands.

Wetlands

Aquatic environments including marshes, swamps, bogs, and fens.

Marsh

A type of wetland characterized by herbaceous plants like grasses and reeds.

Swamp

A type of wetland characterized by woody plants and trees.

Bog

A type of wetland characterized by acidic water, spongy peat deposits, and sphagnum moss.

Fens

A type of wetland characterized by an alkaline or neutral pH, fed by groundwater.

Littoral Zone

The shallow, nearshore area of a lake or pond where light reaches the bottom.

Limnetic Zone

The open-water surface layer of a lake or pond, away from the shore, extending to the depth of light penetration.

Oligotrophic Lake

A lake characterized by low nutrient levels, resulting in clear water and low productivity.

Eutrophic Lake

A lake characterized by high nutrient levels, leading to high productivity and often algal blooms.

Thermocline

A layer in a body of water where temperature changes rapidly with depth.

Lake Turnover

The seasonal mixing of water layers in a lake during spring and fall, redistributing oxygen and nutrients.

River Biodiversity

The variety of life forms and species found within river ecosystems.

Ecosystem Services of Wetlands

Benefits provided by wetlands such as important breeding/migration sites, water purification, and flood water storage.

Coral Reef Sensitivity

The vulnerability of coral reefs to environmental stressors like pollution, temperature changes, and physical disturbances.