Aquatic biomes

Abiotic factors

Non-living chemical and physical components of the environment that influence ecosystems.

Light availability

The amount of light that can penetrate into aquatic ecosystems, influencing photosynthesis.

Stratification

The process leading to the formation or deposition of layers, particularly in aquatic environments.

Photic zone

The upper layer of a body of water that receives enough light for photosynthesis.

Aphotic zone

The deeper layer of a body of water where light cannot penetrate, preventing photosynthesis.

Currents

Large-scale physical movements of water that can influence marine ecosystems.

Tides

The regular rise and fall of sea levels caused by the gravitational forces of the moon and sun.

Marine biomes

Aquatic ecosystems characterized by salty water, including oceans and coral reefs.

Coral reefs

Underwater structures made from calcium carbonate secreted by corals, important for marine biodiversity.

Neritic zone

The marine area extending from the intertidal zone to the edge of the continental shelf.

Benthic zone

The ecological region at the lowest level of a body of water, including the sediment layer.

Abyssal zone

The deepest part of the ocean, characterized by high pressure, low temperature, and low nutrient content.

Desiccation

The process of drying out, often impacting organisms in intertidal zones.

Zooxanthellae

Photosynthetic algae that live in a symbiotic relationship with coral reefs.

Brackish water

A mixture of fresh and saltwater, typically found in estuaries.

Halophyte

Any plant that can tolerate high salt content in its environment.

Estuary

A coastal water body where freshwater from rivers merges with saltwater from the ocean.

Algal bloom

A rapid increase in the population of algae in aquatic systems, often due to nutrient overload.

Hydrology

The study of the movement, distribution, and quality of water on Earth.

Percolation

The process of a liquid slowly passing through a filter or porous substance.

Emergent vegetation

Wetland plants that grow rooted in the soil and extend above the water's surface.

Freshwater biomes

Aquatic ecosystems characterized by low salt concentrations, such as lakes and rivers.

Thermal stratification

The layering of water in lakes and seas due to temperature differences.

Nutrient cycles

The circulation of nutrients in ecosystems, crucial for plant and animal life.

Oligotrophic

Describing bodies of water that are low in nutrient content and productivity.

Eutrophic

Describing bodies of water that are rich in nutrients and often experience algal blooms.

Biotic factors

Living components of an ecosystem that affect the structure and dynamics of that ecosystem.

Ecological niche

The role and position a species has in its environment, including all interactions with biotic and abiotic factors.

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll.

Symbiosis

A close and long-term interaction between two biological species.

Biomes

Large regions characterized by specific climate conditions and distinct communities of organisms.

Climate change

Long-term alteration of temperature and typical weather patterns in a place, impacting ecosystems.

Nutrient-rich

Describing soils or waters that contain high levels of essential nutrients for growth.

Osmoregulation

The process of maintaining the balance of fluids and salts in an organism's body.

Salinity

The concentration of salt in water, a critical factor in aquatic habitats.

Biomagnification

The increasing concentration of toxic substances in the tissues of organisms at each successive level of the food chain.

Salinity gradient

The change in salt concentration within a body of water, often found in estuaries.

Acidification

The process by which water becomes more acidic, often due to increased carbon dioxide levels.

Epiphyte

A plant that grows on another plant non-parasitically, often in moist environments.

Understory

The layer of vegetation below the main canopy of a forest, which includes shrubs and small trees.

Productivity

The rate at which energy is converted by photosynthetic and chemosynthetic autotrophs.

Trophic levels

The hierarchical levels in an ecosystem, comprising producers, consumers, and decomposers.

Keystone species

A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its abundance.

Adaptation

A characteristic that improves an organism's ability to survive and reproduce in its environment.

Diversity

The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Plankton

Tiny, free-floating organisms that live in both freshwater and saltwater.

Nutrient cycling

The movement and exchange of organic and inorganic matter back into the production of living matter.

Environmental resilience

The ability of an ecosystem to recover from disturbances.

Invasive species

Non-native species that spread widely in a new habitat and can cause harm to the environment.

Habitat fragmentation

The process in which a habitat is broken into smaller, isolated patches.

Ecotoxicology

The study of the toxic effects of chemicals on biological organisms.

Aquifer

Underground layer of water-bearing rock that can yield water to wells and springs.

Photosynthetic efficiency

The effectiveness with which plants convert light energy into chemical energy.

Freshwater resources

Natural water systems, such as lakes and rivers, that are not salty.

Substrate

The surface or material on or from which an organism lives, grows, or obtains its nourishment.

Community structure

The composition and organization of a biological community or ecosystem.

Biogeochemical cycles

The cycles that involve the movement of elements through the biological and physical world.

Succession

The process of change in species structure of an ecological community over time.

Bioluminescence

The production and emission of light by living organisms, commonly seen in deep-sea species.

Exotic species

Species that are not native to a specific location and can disrupt local biological cycles.

Wetland restoration

The process of returning a wetland ecosystem to its natural state.

Desalination

The process of removing salt from seawater to produce fresh water.

Bioindicators

Species that are used to assess the health of an ecosystem.

Biomass

The total mass of living matter within a given unit of environmental area.

Phenology

The study of periodic biological events in the life cycle of organisms and their relation to climate.

Sustainability

The ability to maintain ecological balance and avoid depletion of natural resources.

Ecological footprint

The environmental impact of a person or community, measured in terms of land and water area.

Fisheries management

The responsible stewardship of fish stocks and aquatic ecosystems for sustainable yield.

Ocean acidification

The ongoing decrease in the pH of Earth's oceans caused by uptake of carbon dioxide.