Aquatic Biomes

What percentage of the Earth's surface is covered by aquatic biomes?

75%.

Name two critical roles aquatic biomes play in regulating the Earth’s environment.

Rainfall and global temperature regulation.

What is the Photic Zone?

The upper region of the ocean with light penetration.

What is the Aphotic Zone?

The lower region of the ocean where no light penetrates.

What is the Benthic Zone?

The bottom of the ocean, home to detritus-feeding organisms.

What is the Abyss?

The deepest parts of the Benthic Zone, such as deep-sea trenches.

What is the Pelagic Zone?

The area of water from the surface to the bottom in the mid-region of a water body.

What is the Thermocline?

A temperature gradient within a body of water.

What is the Littoral Zone?

The shallow region of freshwater bodies where light is present for plants.

What is the Limnetic Zone?

The surface region of freshwater, home to phytoplankton and zooplankton.

What is the Profundal Zone?

The deep middle region of freshwater bodies, often where fish group.

What characterizes Oligotrophic lakes?

Nutrient-poor, very deep, cold, and clear with few plants and animals.

What characterizes Eutrophic lakes?

Nutrient-rich, shallow, warm, and murky with abundant plants and animals.

What are Mesotrophic lakes?

Lakes with moderate nutrients and biodiversity, often concentrated around edges.

What are Headwaters?

Cold, clear, nutrient-poor, fast-moving waters with high dissolved oxygen.

What is the Midstream?

Warm, slow, nutrient-rich waters with moderate biodiversity.

What is an Estuary?

The region where freshwater meets saltwater, rich in nutrients and biodiversity.

What are Wetlands?

Areas with water and above-water plants, like swamps and marshes, that reduce flooding.

What is the Intertidal Zone?

A harsh environment with crashing tides, rich in biodiversity due to sunlight.

What is the Neritic Zone?

The region from the shore to the continental shelf, rich in biodiversity.

What is the Oceanic Pelagic Zone?

The ocean region containing photic and aphotic zones, with limited biodiversity.

What are Coral Reefs?

Biodiverse marine ecosystems found in warm waters, often referred to as the 'rainforests of the ocean.'

What is the Benthic Zone in marine systems?

The ocean floor, moderate in biodiversity, especially near thermal vents.