Environmental Science Ch. 7 Vocab

Front

Area of land periodically underwater or with moist soil

Back

Wetland

Front

Mass of microscopic organisms in aquatic environments.

Back

Plankton

Front

Organisms that swim actively in open water, independent of currents.

Back

Nekton

Front

Organisms living at the ocean's bottom.

Back

Benthos

Front

Shallow freshwater zone where light reaches the bottom and supports plants.

Back

Littoral Zone

Front

Region near the bottom of a pond, lake, or ocean.

Back

Benthic Zone

Front

Increase in nutrients like nitrates in aquatic ecosystems

Back

Eutrophication

Front

Area where fresh water from rivers meets salt water from the ocean.

Back

Estuary

Front

Maritime habitat with grasses and sedges adapted to periodic flooding.

Back

Salt Marsh

Front

A long ridge of sand or narrow island parallel to the shore.

Back

Barrier Island