Benthic Zone
Definition
The benthic zone refers to the lowest level of a body of water, such as a lake or ocean, where organisms live on or in the sediment at the bottom.
Analogy
Imagine the benthic zone as the "neighborhood" at the bottom of a lake or ocean. Just like different types of houses and creatures can be found in different neighborhoods, various organisms inhabit different parts of the benthic zone.
Related terms
Intertidal Zone: This term refers to the area between high and low tide where organisms are exposed to both air and water.
Abyssal Zone: The abyssal zone is the deepest part of the ocean where sunlight cannot penetrate, and unique deep-sea creatures reside.
Pelagic Zone: The pelagic zone includes all open water areas away from shore, where fish and marine mammals swim freely.
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