APES Chapter 6 Aquatic Biodiversity

APES Unit 2 Chapter 6 practice

Eutrophication

The process by which a body of water becomes rich in dissolved nutrients, often leading to algal blooms, low oxygen, and decreased biodiversity, can be accelerated by human activity

Abiotic Factors

Environmental conditions that influence aquatic ecosystems, such as light, temperature, water depth, salinity, and nutrient levels

Estuaries

Areas where rivers meet the sea, highly productive and important for wetlands. 

Wetlands

Areas saturated with fresh water, including marshes and swamps, that filter pollutants, prevent flooding, and provide habitats. 

Rivers and streams

Flowing water bodies that change from narrow and swift (source zone) to wider and slower (transition and flood plain zones

Runoff

freshwater from precipitation and melting ice that flows on the earth’s surface into nearby streams, lakes, wetlands, and reservoirs.

benthos

bottom-welling organisms

littoral zone

This zone of lake or pond that is shallow that is near the shore

Benthic Zone

The zone where most sunlight can not penetrate

Turbidity

cloudiness in a volume of water: a measure of water clarity in lakes, streams, and other bodies of water.