Benthic: Refers to organisms that live on or in the ocean bed. Benthic epifauna are organisms that live on the ocean floor or upon bottom objects sch as sea anemones and barnacles, whereas benthic infauna are organisms that live within the surface sediments such as clams and worms. Compare pelagic.

 

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Benthic: Refers to organisms that live on or in the ocean bed. Benthic epifauna are organisms that live on the ocean floor or upon bottom objects sch as sea anemones and barnacles, whereas benthic in . . . View Full Definition

Benthic-Pelagic Coupling: The cycling of nutrients between the bottom sediments and overyling water column

Benthic Zone: One of the two basic subdivisions of the marine biome; includes the sea floor and bottom-dwelling organisms.

Epibenthic: Living on the surface of the bottom

Pelagic: Refers to the plants and animals that live in the water column or in the open waters of the ocean rather than the ocean floor (see benthic). Life is found throughout the pelagic zone, howeve . . . View Full Definition

Nekton: Organisms with swimming abilities that permit them to move actively through the water column and to move against currents

Sled: A benthic sampling device designed to slide along the sediment surface, digging into the bottom to a depth of at most a few centimeters

Substrate: The material upon or within which a plant or animal live or grows (e.g. Rocky or sandy substrate). See also benthic.

Microbenthos: Benthic organisms (animals or plants) whose shortest dimension is less than 0.1 mm

Littoral Zone: In coastal engineering, the area from the shoreline to just beyond the breaker zone. In biological oceanography, it is that part of the benthic division extending from the high water line ou . . . View Full Definition