Jump to content

Benthic zone: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
→‎Habitats: refs for another {{cn}}
→‎Nutrient flux: | Altered template type. Add: bibcode, pmid, doi, pages, issue, volume, journal, title, date, pmc, authors 1-4. Removed URL that duplicated identifier. Changed bare reference to CS1/2. | Use this tool. Report bugs. | #UCB_Gadget
(21 intermediate revisions by 11 users not shown)
Line 2: Line 2:
{{ocean habitat topics|image=[[File:Benthic GLERL 1.jpg|250px]]|caption=[[Photomicrograph]] of typical benthic animals, including (from top to bottom) [[amphipods]], a [[polychaete]] worm, a [[Sea snail|snail]], and a [[Chironomidae|chironomous]] midge larva}}
{{ocean habitat topics|image=[[File:Benthic GLERL 1.jpg|250px]]|caption=[[Photomicrograph]] of typical benthic animals, including (from top to bottom) [[amphipods]], a [[polychaete]] worm, a [[Sea snail|snail]], and a [[Chironomidae|chironomous]] midge larva}}


The '''benthic zone''' is the ecological region at the lowest level of a [[body of water]] such as an [[ocean]], [[lake]], or [[stream]], including the sediment surface and some sub-surface layers. The name comes from ancient Greek, βένθος (bénthos), meaning "the depths."<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/benthos#English | title=Benthos | date=22 April 2022 }}</ref> Organisms living in this zone are called [[benthos]] and include [[microorganisms]] (e.g., [[bacteria]] and [[Fungus|fungi]])<ref>{{Cite book|title=Limnology: Lake and River Ecosystems, 3rd edn.|last=Wetzel|first=Robert G.|publisher=Academic Press, San Diego|year=2001|pages=635–637}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Bacterial Biogeochemistry: The Ecophysiology of Mineral Cycling, 3rd edn.|last1=Fenchel|first1=T.|last2=King|first2=G.|last3=Blackburn|first3=T. H.|publisher=Academic Press, London|year=2012|pages=121–122}}</ref> as well as larger [[invertebrates]], such as [[crustacean]]s and [[polychaete]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baybenthos.versar.com/benthos.htm |title=What Are Benthos? |publisher=Baybenthos.versar.com |date=2006-01-23 |access-date=2013-11-24}}</ref> Organisms here generally live in close relationship with the substrate and many are permanently attached to the bottom. The [[benthic boundary layer]], which includes the bottom layer of water and the uppermost layer of sediment directly influenced by the overlying water, is an integral part of the benthic zone, as it greatly influences the biological activity that takes place there. Examples of contact soil layers include [[sand]] bottoms, rocky outcrops, [[coral]], and [[bay mud]].
The '''benthic zone''' is the ecological region at the lowest level of a [[body of water]] such as an [[ocean]], [[lake]], or [[stream]], including the sediment surface and some sub-surface layers. The name comes from the Ancient Greek word {{wiktgrc|βένθος}} ({{grc-transl|βένθος}}), meaning "the depths".<ref>{{wikt-inline|benthos}}</ref> Organisms living in this zone are called [[benthos]] and include [[microorganisms]] (e.g., [[bacteria]] and [[Fungus|fungi]])<ref>{{Cite book|title=Limnology: Lake and River Ecosystems, 3rd edn.|last=Wetzel|first=Robert G.|publisher=Academic Press, San Diego|year=2001|pages=635–637}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Bacterial Biogeochemistry: The Ecophysiology of Mineral Cycling, 3rd edn.|last1=Fenchel|first1=T.|last2=King|first2=G.|last3=Blackburn|first3=T. H.|publisher=Academic Press, London|year=2012|pages=121–122}}</ref> as well as larger [[invertebrates]], such as [[crustacean]]s and [[polychaete]]s.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baybenthos.versar.com/benthos.htm |title=What Are Benthos? |publisher=Baybenthos.versar.com |date=2006-01-23 |access-date=2013-11-24}}</ref> Organisms here generally live in close relationship with the substrate and many are permanently attached to the bottom. The [[benthic boundary layer]], which includes the bottom layer of water and the uppermost layer of sediment directly influenced by the overlying water, is an integral part of the benthic zone, as it greatly influences the biological activity that takes place there. Examples of contact soil layers include [[sand]] bottoms, rocky outcrops, [[coral]], and [[bay mud]].


==Description==
==Description==
Line 8: Line 8:
{{benthos sidebar}}
{{benthos sidebar}}
===Oceans===
===Oceans===
The benthic region of the ocean begins at the shore line ([[intertidal zone|intertidal]] or [[littoral zone]]) and extends downward along the surface of the [[continental shelf]] out to sea. Thus, the region incorporates a great variety of physical conditions differing in: depth, light penetration and pressure.<ref>{{cite book |year=2022|last1=Walag |first1=Angelo |editor1-last=Godson |editor1-first=Prince |title=Ecology and Biodiversity of Benthos |publisher=[[Elsevier]] |location=Amsterdam, Netherlands |isbn=9780128211618 |page=1 |chapter=Understanding the world of Benthos: an introduction to Benthology|display-editors=etal}}</ref> The continental shelf is a gently sloping benthic region that extends away from the land mass. At the continental shelf edge, usually about {{convert|200|m}} deep, the gradient greatly increases and is known as the continental slope. The continental slope drops down to the deep sea floor. The deep-sea floor is called the [[abyssal plain]] and is usually about {{convert|4000|m}} deep. The ocean floor is not all flat but has [[Mid-ocean ridge|submarine ridges]] and deep [[ocean trench]]es known as the [[hadal zone]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Nichols |first1=C. Reid |last2=Williams |first2=Robert G. |title=Encyclopedia of marine science |date=2009 |publisher=[[Infobase Publishing|Infobase]] |location=New York |isbn=9781438118819 |chapter=hadal zone}}</ref>
The benthic region of the ocean begins at the shore line ([[intertidal zone|intertidal]] or [[littoral zone]]) and extends downward along the surface of the [[continental shelf]] out to sea. Thus, the region incorporates a great variety of physical conditions differing in: depth, light penetration and pressure.<ref>{{cite book |year=2022|last1=Walag |first1=Angelo |editor1-last=Godson |editor1-first=Prince |title=Ecology and Biodiversity of Benthos |publisher=[[Elsevier]] |location=Amsterdam, Netherlands |isbn=9780128211618 |page=1 |chapter=Understanding the world of Benthos: an introduction to Benthology|display-editors=etal}}</ref> Depending on the water-body, the benthic zone may include areas that are only a few inches below the surface.


For comparison, the [[pelagic zone]] is the descriptive term for the ecological region above the benthos, including the [[water column]] up to the surface. Depending on the water-body, the benthic zone may include areas that are only a few inches below water, such as a stream or shallow pond; at the other end of the spectrum, benthos of the deep ocean includes the bottom levels of the oceanic [[abyssal zone]].<ref> Nichols, Williams (2009): "abyssal zone"</ref>
The continental shelf is a gently sloping benthic region that extends away from the land mass. At the continental shelf edge, usually about {{convert|200|m}} deep, the gradient greatly increases and is known as the continental slope. The continental slope drops down to the deep sea floor. The deep-sea floor is called the [[abyssal plain]] and is usually about {{convert|4000|m}} deep. The ocean floor is not all flat but has [[Mid-ocean ridge|submarine ridges]] and deep [[ocean trench]]es known as the [[hadal zone]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Nichols |first1=C. Reid |last2=Williams |first2=Robert G. |title=Encyclopedia of marine science |date=2009 |publisher=[[Infobase Publishing|Infobase]] |location=New York |isbn=9781438118819 |chapter=hadal zone}}</ref> For comparison, the [[pelagic zone]] is the descriptive term for the ecological region above the benthos, including the [[water column]] up to the surface. At the other end of the spectrum, benthos of the deep ocean includes the bottom levels of the oceanic [[abyssal zone]].<ref> Nichols, Williams (2009): "abyssal zone"</ref>


For information on animals that live in the deeper areas of the oceans see [[aphotic zone]]. Generally, these include life forms that tolerate cool [[temperature]]s and low [[oxygen]] levels, but this depends on the depth of the water.<ref> Nichols, Williams (2009): "aphotic zone"</ref>
For information on animals that live in the deeper areas of the oceans see [[aphotic zone]]. Generally, these include life forms that tolerate cool [[temperature]]s and low [[oxygen]] levels, but this depends on the depth of the water.<ref> Nichols, Williams (2009): "aphotic zone"</ref>

===Lakes===
===Lakes===
As with oceans, the ''benthic zone'' is the floor of the lake, composed of accumulated sunken [[organic matter]]. The ''littoral zone'' is the zone bordering the shore; light penetrates easily and aquatic plants thrive. The ''pelagic zone'' represents the broad mass of water, down as far as the depth to which no light penetrates.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Silk |first1=Nicole |last2=Ciruna |first2=Kristine |title=A practitioner's guide to freshwater biodiversity conservation |date=2005 |publisher=[[Island Press]] |location=Washington, DC |isbn=9781597260435}}</ref>
As with oceans, the ''benthic zone'' is the floor of the lake, composed of accumulated sunken [[organic matter]]. The ''littoral zone'' is the zone bordering the shore; light penetrates easily and aquatic plants thrive. The ''pelagic zone'' represents the broad mass of water, down as far as the depth to which no light penetrates.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Silk |first1=Nicole |last2=Ciruna |first2=Kristine |title=A practitioner's guide to freshwater biodiversity conservation |date=2005 |publisher=[[Island Press]] |location=Washington, DC |isbn=9781597260435}}</ref>


==Organisms==
==Organisms==
{{main article|Benthos}}
{{main article|Benthos}}
Benthos are the organisms that live in the benthic zone, and are different from those elsewhere in the [[water column]].{{citation needed|date=November 2019}} Many have adapted to live on the substrate (bottom). In their habitats they can be considered as dominant creatures, but they are often a source of prey for [[Carcharhinidae]] such as the [[lemon shark]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Bright|first=Michael|title=The private life of sharks: the truth behind the myth|year=2000|publisher=Stackpole Books|location=Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania |isbn=0-8117-2875-7}}</ref> Many organisms adapted to deep-water pressure cannot survive in the upper parts of the water column. The pressure difference can be very significant (approximately one [[atmosphere (unit)|atmosphere]] for each 10 meters of water depth).
Benthos are the organisms that live in the benthic zone, and are different from those elsewhere in the [[water column]]; even within the benthic zone variations in such factors as light penetration, temperature and salinity give rise to distinct differences, delineated vertically, in the groups of organisms supported.<ref name=aw2>Walag (2022) p.2</ref> Many organisms adapted to deep-water pressure cannot survive in the upper parts of the water column: the pressure difference can be very significant (approximately one [[atmosphere (unit)|atmosphere]] for each 10 meters of water depth). Many have adapted to live on the substrate (bottom). In their habitats they can be considered as dominant creatures, but they are often a source of prey for [[Carcharhinidae]] such as the [[lemon shark]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Bright|first=Michael|title=The private life of sharks: the truth behind the myth|year=2000|publisher=Stackpole Books|location=Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania |isbn=0-8117-2875-7}}</ref>


Because light does not penetrate very deep into ocean-water, the energy source for the benthic ecosystem is often [[marine snow]]. Marine snow is organic matter from higher up in the water column that drifts down to the depths. This [[detritus|dead and decaying matter]] sustains the benthic [[food chain]]; most organisms in the benthic zone are [[scavenger]]s or [[detritivore]]s. Some [[microorganism]]s use [[chemosynthesis]] to produce [[Biomass (ecology)|biomass]].
Because light does not penetrate very deep into ocean-water, the energy source for the benthic ecosystem is often [[marine snow]]. Marine snow is organic matter from higher up in the water column that drifts down to the depths.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Matthiessen |first1=Berte |editor1-last=Salomon |editor1-first=Markus |title=Handbook on Marine Environment Protection |date=2018 |publisher=[[Springer Science+Business Media|Springer]] |display-editors=etal|location=Berlin |isbn=978-3-319-60154-0 |page=53 |chapter=Ecological Organization of the Ocean}}</ref> This [[detritus|dead and decaying matter]] sustains the benthic [[food chain]]; most organisms in the benthic zone are [[scavenger]]s or [[detritivore]]s. Some [[microorganism]]s use [[chemosynthesis]] to produce [[Biomass (ecology)|biomass]].


Benthic organisms can be divided into two categories based on whether they make their home on the ocean floor or a few centimeters into the ocean floor. Those living on the surface of the ocean floor are known as [[epifauna]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epifaunal |title=Epifaunal - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary |publisher=Merriam-webster.com |date=2012-08-31 |access-date=2013-11-24}}</ref> Those who live burrowed into the ocean floor are known as [[infauna]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infauna |title=Infauna - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary |publisher=Merriam-webster.com |date=2012-08-31 |access-date=2013-11-24}}</ref> Extremophiles, including [[piezophile]]s, which thrive in high pressures, may also live there.
Benthic organisms can be divided into two categories based on whether they make their home on the ocean floor or a few centimeters into the ocean floor. Those living on the surface of the ocean floor are known as [[epifauna]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epifaunal |title=Epifaunal - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary |publisher=Merriam-webster.com |date=2012-08-31 |access-date=2013-11-24}}</ref> Those who live burrowed into the ocean floor are known as [[infauna]].<ref name=aw2/> Extremophiles, including [[piezophile]]s, which thrive in high pressures, may also live there. An example of benthos organism is [[Chorismus antarcticus]].


==Nutrient flux==
==Nutrient flux==
Sources of food for benthic communities can derive from the water column above these habitats in the form of aggregations of [[detritus]], inorganic matter, and living organisms.<ref>Godson (2022) p.90</ref> These aggregations are commonly referred to as [[marine snow]], and are important for the deposition of organic matter, and bacterial communities.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Alldredge|first=Alice|author2=Silver, Mary W.|title=Characteristics, dynamics and significance of marine snow|journal=Progress in Oceanography|year=1988|volume=20|issue=1|pages=41–82|doi=10.1016/0079-6611(88)90053-5|bibcode=1988PrOce..20...41A}}</ref> The amount of material sinking to the ocean floor can average 307,000 aggregates per m<sup>2</sup> per day.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Shanks|first=Alan|author2=Trent, Jonathan D.|title=Marine snow: sinking rates and potential role in vertical flux|journal=Deep-Sea Research|year=1980|volume=27A|pages=137–143|doi=10.1016/0198-0149(80)90092-8|issue=2|bibcode=1980DSRA...27..137S}}</ref> This amount will vary on the depth of the benthos, and the degree of benthic-pelagic coupling. The benthos in a shallow region will have more available food than the benthos in the deep sea. Because of their reliance on it, microbes may become spatially dependent on detritus in the benthic zone. The [[microbes]] found in the benthic zone, specifically [[dinoflagellates]] and [[foraminifera]], colonize quite rapidly on detritus matter while forming a symbiotic relationship with each other.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://bprc.osu.edu/geo/projects/foram/whatarefor.htm | title=Foraminifera | access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ucl.ac.uk/GeolSci/micropal/foram.html#histofstudy | title=foraminifera | access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref>
Sources of food for benthic communities can derive from the water column above these habitats in the form of aggregations of [[detritus]], inorganic matter, and living organisms.<ref>Godson (2022) p.90</ref> These aggregations are commonly referred to as [[marine snow]], and are important for the deposition of organic matter, and bacterial communities.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Alldredge|first=Alice|author2=Silver, Mary W.|title=Characteristics, dynamics and significance of marine snow|journal=Progress in Oceanography|year=1988|volume=20|issue=1|pages=41–82|doi=10.1016/0079-6611(88)90053-5|bibcode=1988PrOce..20...41A}}</ref> The amount of material sinking to the ocean floor can average 307,000 aggregates per m<sup>2</sup> per day.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Shanks|first=Alan|author2=Trent, Jonathan D.|title=Marine snow: sinking rates and potential role in vertical flux|journal=Deep-Sea Research|year=1980|volume=27A|pages=137–143|doi=10.1016/0198-0149(80)90092-8|issue=2|bibcode=1980DSRA...27..137S}}</ref> This amount will vary on the depth of the benthos, and the degree of benthic-pelagic coupling. The benthos in a shallow region will have more available food than the benthos in the deep sea. Because of their reliance on it, microbes may become spatially dependent on detritus in the benthic zone. The [[microbes]] found in the benthic zone, specifically [[dinoflagellates]] and [[foraminifera]], colonize quite rapidly on detritus matter while forming a symbiotic relationship with each other.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://bprc.osu.edu/geo/projects/foram/whatarefor.htm | title=Foraminifera | access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ucl.ac.uk/GeolSci/micropal/foram.html#histofstudy | title=foraminifera | access-date=7 December 2014}}</ref> In the deep sea, which covers 90-95% of the ocean floor, 90% of the total biomass is made up of prokaryotes. To release all the nutrients locked inside these microbes to the environment, viruses are important in making it available to other organisms.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lXy_EAAAQBAJ&dq=deep-sea+sediments+deep+sea+prokaryotes+90%25+biomass+viral&pg=PT273 | title=Organisms Amplify Diversity: An Autocatalytic Hypothesis | isbn=978-1-000-82638-8 | last1=Seaborg | first1=David | date=30 June 2023 | publisher=CRC Press }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | pmc=4928989 | date=2016 | last1=Danovaro | first1=R. | last2=Molari | first2=M. | last3=Corinaldesi | first3=C. | last4=Dell'Anno | first4=A. | title=Macroecological drivers of archaea and bacteria in benthic deep-sea ecosystems | journal=Science Advances | volume=2 | issue=4 | pages=e1500961 | doi=10.1126/sciadv.1500961 | pmid=27386507 | bibcode=2016SciA....2E0961D }}</ref>


==Habitats==
==Habitats==
Modern [[seafloor mapping]] technologies have revealed linkages between seafloor geomorphology and benthic habitats, in which suites of benthic communities are associated with specific geomorphic settings.<ref>Harris, P. T.; Baker, E. K. 2012. "[[GEOHAB]] Atlas of seafloor geomorphic features and benthic habitats – synthesis and lessons learned", in: Harris, P. T.; Baker, E. K. (eds.), ''Seafloor Geomorphology as Benthic Habitat: GeoHab Atlas of seafloor geomorphic features and benthic habitats''. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 871-890.</ref> Examples include cold-water coral communities associated with seamounts and submarine canyons, kelp forests associated with inner shelf rocky reefs and rockfish associated with rocky escarpments on continental slopes.<ref>Harris, P. T.; Baker, E. K.; 2012. ''Seafloor Geomorphology as Benthic Habitat: GeoHab Atlas of seafloor geomorphic features and benthic habitats''. Elsevier, Amsterdam, p. 947.</ref> In [[ocean]]ic environments, benthic [[habitats]] can also be zoned by depth. From the shallowest to the deepest are: the [[epipelagic]] (less than 200 meters), the [[mesopelagic]] (200–1,000 meters), the [[bathyal]] (1,000–4,000 meters), the [[abyssal]] (4,000–6,000 meters) and the deepest, the [[hadal]] (below 6,000 meters).{{citation needed|date=September 2019}}
Modern [[seafloor mapping]] technologies have revealed linkages between seafloor geomorphology and benthic habitats, in which suites of benthic communities are associated with specific geomorphic settings.<ref>Harris, P. T.; Baker, E. K. 2012. "[[GEOHAB]] Atlas of seafloor geomorphic features and benthic habitats – synthesis and lessons learned", in: Harris, P. T.; Baker, E. K. (eds.), ''Seafloor Geomorphology as Benthic Habitat: GeoHab Atlas of seafloor geomorphic features and benthic habitats''. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 871-890.</ref> Examples include cold-water coral communities associated with seamounts and submarine canyons, kelp forests associated with inner shelf rocky reefs and rockfish associated with rocky escarpments on continental slopes.<ref>Harris, P. T.; Baker, E. K.; 2012. ''Seafloor Geomorphology as Benthic Habitat: GeoHab Atlas of seafloor geomorphic features and benthic habitats''. Elsevier, Amsterdam, p. 947.</ref> In [[ocean]]ic environments, benthic [[habitats]] can also be zoned by depth. From the shallowest to the deepest are: the [[epipelagic]] (less than 200 meters), the [[mesopelagic]] (200–1,000 meters), the [[bathyal]] (1,000–4,000 meters), the [[abyssal]] (4,000–6,000 meters) and the deepest, the [[hadal]] (below 6,000 meters).<ref>{{Cite journal |date=2012 |title=Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS) |url=https://repository.library.noaa.gov/view/noaa/27552 |language=en}}</ref>


The lower zones are in deep, pressurized areas of the ocean. Human impacts have occurred at all ocean depths, but are most significant on shallow continental shelf and slope habitats.<ref>Harris, P. T., 2012. "Anthropogenic threats to benthic habitats", in: Harris, P. T.; Baker, E. K. (eds.), ''Seafloor Geomorphology as Benthic Habitat: GeoHab Atlas of seafloor geomorphic features and benthic habitats''. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 39-60.</ref> Many benthic organisms have retained their historic evolutionary characteristics. Some organisms are [[Deep-sea gigantism|significantly larger]] than their relatives living in shallower zones, largely because of higher oxygen concentration in deep water.<ref>[http://www.naturalsciences.be/active/sciencenews/archive2005/polarregions/page3/document_view Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, news item March 2005] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928104251/http://www.naturalsciences.be/active/sciencenews/archive2005/polarregions/page3/document_view |date=September 28, 2011 }}</ref>
The lower zones are in deep, pressurized areas of the ocean. Human impacts have occurred at all ocean depths, but are most significant on shallow continental shelf and slope habitats.<ref>Harris, P. T., 2012. "Anthropogenic threats to benthic habitats", in: Harris, P. T.; Baker, E. K. (eds.), ''Seafloor Geomorphology as Benthic Habitat: GeoHab Atlas of seafloor geomorphic features and benthic habitats''. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 39-60.</ref> Many benthic organisms have retained their historic evolutionary characteristics. Some organisms are [[Deep-sea gigantism|significantly larger]] than their relatives living in shallower zones, largely because of higher oxygen concentration in deep water.<ref>[http://www.naturalsciences.be/active/sciencenews/archive2005/polarregions/page3/document_view Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, news item March 2005] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928104251/http://www.naturalsciences.be/active/sciencenews/archive2005/polarregions/page3/document_view |date=September 28, 2011 }}</ref>
Line 35: Line 36:


==Ecological research==
==Ecological research==
Benthic [[macroinvertebrate]]s have many important ecological functions, such as regulating the flow of materials and energy in [[river ecosystem]]s through their [[food web]] linkages. Because of this correlation between flow of energy and nutrients, benthic [[macroinvertebrates]] have the ability to influence food resources on fish and other organisms in [[aquatic ecosystems]]. For example, the addition of a moderate amount of [[nutrients]] to a river over the course of several years resulted in increases in invertebrate richness, abundance, and [[Biomass (ecology)|biomass]]. These in turn resulted in increased food resources for native species of fish with insignificant alteration of the macroinvertebrate community structure and [[trophic network|trophic]] pathways.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Minshall |first=Wayne |author2=Shafii, Bahman |author3=Price, William J. |author4=Holderman, Charlie |author5=Anders, Paul J. |author6=Lester, Gary |author7=Barrett, Pat |title=Effects of nutrient replacement on benthic macroinvertebrates in an ultraoligotrophic reach of the Kootenai River, 2003–2010 |journal=Freshwater Science |volume=33 |issue=4 |pages=1009–1023 |jstor=10.1086/677900 |doi=10.1086/677900|year=2014 |s2cid=84495019 }}</ref> The presence of macroinvertebrates such as [[Amphipoda#Ecology|Amphipoda]] also affect the dominance of certain types of algae in Benthic ecosystems as well.<ref>{{Cite journal|title = Strong impacts of grazing amphipods on the organization of a benthic community|journal = Ecological Monographs|date = 2000-05-01|issn = 0012-9615|pages = 237–263|volume = 70|issue = 2|doi = 10.1890/0012-9615(2000)070[0237:SIOGAO]2.0.CO;2|first1 = J. Emmett|last1 = Duffy|first2 = Mark E.|last2 = Hay|citeseerx = 10.1.1.473.4746}}</ref> In addition, because benthic zones are influenced by the flow of dead [[organic matter|organic material]], there have been studies conducted on the relationship between stream and river water flows and the resulting effects on the benthic zone. Low flow events show a restriction in nutrient transport from benthic [[substrate (marine biology)|substrates]] to food webs, and caused a decrease in benthic macroinvertebrate biomass, which lead to the disappearance of food sources into the substrate.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Rolls |first=Robert |author2=Leigh, Catherine |author3=Sheldon, Fran |title=Mechanistic effects of low-flow hydrology on riverine ecosystems: ecological principles and consequences of alteration |journal=Freshwater Science |year=2012 |volume=31 |pages=1163–1186 |issue=4 |jstor=10.1899/12-002.1 |doi=10.1899/12-002.1|hdl=10072/48539 |s2cid=55593045 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>
Benthic [[macroinvertebrate]]s have many important ecological functions, such as regulating the flow of materials and energy in [[river ecosystem]]s through their [[food web]] linkages. Because of this correlation between flow of energy and nutrients, benthic [[macroinvertebrates]] have the ability to influence food resources on fish and other organisms in [[aquatic ecosystems]]. For example, the addition of a moderate amount of [[nutrients]] to a river over the course of several years resulted in increases in invertebrate richness, abundance, and [[Biomass (ecology)|biomass]]. These in turn resulted in increased food resources for native species of fish with insignificant alteration of the macroinvertebrate community structure and [[trophic network|trophic]] pathways.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Minshall |first=Wayne |author2=Shafii, Bahman |author3=Price, William J. |author4=Holderman, Charlie |author5=Anders, Paul J. |author6=Lester, Gary |author7=Barrett, Pat |title=Effects of nutrient replacement on benthic macroinvertebrates in an ultraoligotrophic reach of the Kootenai River, 2003–2010 |journal=Freshwater Science |volume=33 |issue=4 |pages=1009–1023 |jstor=10.1086/677900 |doi=10.1086/677900|year=2014 |s2cid=84495019 |doi-access=free }}</ref> The presence of macroinvertebrates such as [[Amphipoda#Ecology|Amphipoda]] also affect the dominance of certain types of algae in Benthic ecosystems as well.<ref>{{Cite journal|title = Strong impacts of grazing amphipods on the organization of a benthic community|journal = Ecological Monographs|date = 2000-05-01|issn = 0012-9615|pages = 237–263|volume = 70|issue = 2|doi = 10.1890/0012-9615(2000)070[0237:SIOGAO]2.0.CO;2|first1 = J. Emmett|last1 = Duffy|first2 = Mark E.|last2 = Hay|citeseerx = 10.1.1.473.4746| s2cid=54598097 }}</ref> In addition, because benthic zones are influenced by the flow of dead [[organic matter|organic material]], there have been studies conducted on the relationship between stream and river water flows and the resulting effects on the benthic zone. Low flow events show a restriction in nutrient transport from benthic [[substrate (marine biology)|substrates]] to food webs, and caused a decrease in benthic macroinvertebrate biomass, which lead to the disappearance of food sources into the substrate.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Rolls |first=Robert |author2=Leigh, Catherine |author3=Sheldon, Fran |title=Mechanistic effects of low-flow hydrology on riverine ecosystems: ecological principles and consequences of alteration |journal=Freshwater Science |year=2012 |volume=31 |pages=1163–1186 |issue=4 |jstor=10.1899/12-002.1 |doi=10.1899/12-002.1|hdl=10072/48539 |s2cid=55593045 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>


Because the benthic system regulates energy in aquatic ecosystems, studies have been made of the mechanisms of the benthic zone in order to better understand the ecosystem. Benthic [[diatom]]s have been used by the European Union's [[Water Framework Directive]] (WFD) to establish ecological quality ratios that determined the ecological status of lakes in the UK.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Bennion |first=Helen |author2=Kelly, Martyn G. |author3=Juggins, Steve |author4=Yallop, Marian L. |author5=Burgess, Amy |author6=Jamieson, Jane |author7=Krokowski, Jan |title=Assessment of Ecological Status in UK lakes using benthic diatoms|journal=Freshwater Science |year=2014 |volume=33 |pages=639–654 |jstor=10.1086/675447 |doi=10.1086/675447|issue=2|s2cid=33631675 |url=http://research-information.bristol.ac.uk/files/88889408/Bennionetal.pdf }}</ref> Beginning research is being made on benthic assemblages to see if they can be used as indicators of healthy aquatic ecosystems. Benthic assemblages in urbanized coastal regions are not functionally equivalent to benthic assemblages in untouched regions.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Lowe |first=Michael |author2=Peterson, Mark S. |title=Effects of Coastal Urbanization on Salt-Marsh Faunal Assemblages in the Northern Gulf of Mexico |journal= Marine and Coastal Fisheries: Dynamics, Management, and Ecosystem Science |year=2014 |volume=6 |pages=89–107 |doi=10.1080/19425120.2014.893467|doi-access=free }}</ref>
Because the benthic system regulates energy in aquatic ecosystems, studies have been made of the mechanisms of the benthic zone in order to better understand the ecosystem. Benthic [[diatom]]s have been used by the European Union's [[Water Framework Directive]] (WFD) to establish ecological quality ratios that determined the ecological status of lakes in the UK.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Bennion |first=Helen |author2=Kelly, Martyn G. |author3=Juggins, Steve |author4=Yallop, Marian L. |author5=Burgess, Amy |author6=Jamieson, Jane |author7=Krokowski, Jan |title=Assessment of Ecological Status in UK lakes using benthic diatoms|journal=Freshwater Science |year=2014 |volume=33 |pages=639–654 |jstor=10.1086/675447 |doi=10.1086/675447|issue=2|s2cid=33631675 |url=http://research-information.bristol.ac.uk/files/88889408/Bennionetal.pdf }}</ref> Beginning research is being made on benthic assemblages to see if they can be used as indicators of healthy aquatic ecosystems. Benthic assemblages in urbanized coastal regions are not functionally equivalent to benthic assemblages in untouched regions.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Lowe |first=Michael |author2=Peterson, Mark S. |title=Effects of Coastal Urbanization on Salt-Marsh Faunal Assemblages in the Northern Gulf of Mexico |journal= Marine and Coastal Fisheries: Dynamics, Management, and Ecosystem Science |year=2014 |volume=6 |pages=89–107 |doi=10.1080/19425120.2014.893467|doi-access=free |hdl=1912/6981 |hdl-access=free }}</ref>


Ecologists are attempting to understand the relationship between [[heterogeneity]] and maintaining [[biodiversity]] in aquatic ecosystems. Benthic [[algae]] has been used as an inherently good subject for studying short term changes and community responses to heterogeneous conditions in streams. Understanding the potential mechanisms involving benthic [[periphyton]] and the effects on heterogeneity within a stream may provide a better understanding of the structure and function of stream ecosystems.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Wellnitz |first=Todd |author2=Rader, Russell B. |title=Mechanisms influencing community composition and succession in mountain stream periphyton: interactions between scouring history, grazing, and irradiance |journal=Journal of the North American Benthological Society |year=2003 |volume=22 |pages=528–541 |doi=10.2307/1468350|issue=4 |jstor=1468350 |s2cid=85061936 }}</ref> Unfortunately periphyton populations suffer from high natural [[spatial variability]] while difficult accessibility simultaneously limits the practicable number of samples that can be taken. Targeting periphyton locations which are known to provide reliable samples {{endash}} especially hard surfaces {{endash}} is recommended in the [[European Union]] benthic monitoring program (by Kelly 1998 for the [[United Kingdom]] then in the EU and for the EU as a whole by CEN 2003 and CEN 2004) and in some [[United States]] programs (by Moulton et al 2002).<ref name="Smol-2010">{{cite book | last=Smol | first=John P. | title=The Diatoms: Applications for the Environmental and Earth Sciences | publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] (CUP) | publication-place=[[Cambridge]] [[New York City]] | year=2010 | isbn=978-0-521-50996-1 | oclc=671782244}}</ref>{{rp|60}} Benthic [[gross primary production]] (GPP) may be important in maintaining biodiversity hotspots in [[littoral zone]]s in large [[lake ecosystem]]s. However, the relative contributions of benthic habitats within specific ecosystems are poorly explored and more research is needed.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Althouse |first=Bryan |author2=Higgins, Scott |author3=Vander Zanden, Jake M. |title=Benthic and Planktonic primary production along a nutrient gradient in Green Bay, Lake Michigan, USA |journal=Freshwater Science |year=2014 |volume=33 |pages=487–498 |jstor=10.1086/676314 |doi=10.1086/676314|issue=2|s2cid=84535584 }}</ref>
Ecologists are attempting to understand the relationship between [[heterogeneity]] and maintaining [[biodiversity]] in aquatic ecosystems. Benthic [[algae]] has been used as an inherently good subject for studying short term changes and community responses to heterogeneous conditions in streams. Understanding the potential mechanisms involving benthic [[periphyton]] and the effects on heterogeneity within a stream may provide a better understanding of the structure and function of stream ecosystems.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Wellnitz |first=Todd |author2=Rader, Russell B. |title=Mechanisms influencing community composition and succession in mountain stream periphyton: interactions between scouring history, grazing, and irradiance |journal=Journal of the North American Benthological Society |year=2003 |volume=22 |pages=528–541 |doi=10.2307/1468350|issue=4 |jstor=1468350 |s2cid=85061936 }}</ref> Periphyton populations suffer from high natural [[spatial variability]] while difficult accessibility simultaneously limits the practicable number of samples that can be taken. Targeting periphyton locations which are known to provide reliable samples {{endash}} especially hard surfaces {{endash}} is recommended in the [[European Union]] benthic monitoring program (by Kelly 1998 for the United Kingdom then in the EU and for the EU as a whole by CEN 2003 and CEN 2004) and in some United States programs (by Moulton et al 2002).<ref name="Smol-2010">{{cite book | last=Smol | first=John P. | title=The Diatoms: Applications for the Environmental and Earth Sciences | publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] (CUP) | publication-place=[[Cambridge]] [[New York City]] | year=2010 | isbn=978-0-521-50996-1 | oclc=671782244}}</ref>{{rp|60}} Benthic [[gross primary production]] (GPP) may be important in maintaining biodiversity hotspots in [[littoral zone]]s in large [[lake ecosystem]]s. However, the relative contributions of benthic habitats within specific ecosystems are poorly explored and more research is planned.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Althouse |first=Bryan |author2=Higgins, Scott |author3=Vander Zanden, Jake M. |title=Benthic and Planktonic primary production along a nutrient gradient in Green Bay, Lake Michigan, USA |journal=Freshwater Science |year=2014 |volume=33 |pages=487–498 |jstor=10.1086/676314 |doi=10.1086/676314|issue=2|s2cid=84535584 |doi-access=free }}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 17:03, 1 June 2024

Marine habitats
Photomicrograph of typical benthic animals, including (from top to bottom) amphipods, a polychaete worm, a snail, and a chironomous midge larva
Coastal habitats
Ocean surface
Open ocean
Sea floor

The benthic zone is the ecological region at the lowest level of a body of water such as an ocean, lake, or stream, including the sediment surface and some sub-surface layers. The name comes from the Ancient Greek word Template:Wiktgrc (bénthos), meaning "the depths".[1] Organisms living in this zone are called benthos and include microorganisms (e.g., bacteria and fungi)[2][3] as well as larger invertebrates, such as crustaceans and polychaetes.[4] Organisms here generally live in close relationship with the substrate and many are permanently attached to the bottom. The benthic boundary layer, which includes the bottom layer of water and the uppermost layer of sediment directly influenced by the overlying water, is an integral part of the benthic zone, as it greatly influences the biological activity that takes place there. Examples of contact soil layers include sand bottoms, rocky outcrops, coral, and bay mud.

Description

Part of a series related to
Benthic life
Benthos              Benthic zone
Benthopelagic (coupling)        Seabed
By size
By type
By location
By habitat
    Shallow: tide pool • bay mud • bivalve reef
                   mangrove forest • coral reef
                   seagrass meadow
        Deep: seamount • cold seep
                   hydrothermal vent
Communities
Related

Oceans

The benthic region of the ocean begins at the shore line (intertidal or littoral zone) and extends downward along the surface of the continental shelf out to sea. Thus, the region incorporates a great variety of physical conditions differing in: depth, light penetration and pressure.[5] Depending on the water-body, the benthic zone may include areas that are only a few inches below the surface.

The continental shelf is a gently sloping benthic region that extends away from the land mass. At the continental shelf edge, usually about 200 metres (660 ft) deep, the gradient greatly increases and is known as the continental slope. The continental slope drops down to the deep sea floor. The deep-sea floor is called the abyssal plain and is usually about 4,000 metres (13,000 ft) deep. The ocean floor is not all flat but has submarine ridges and deep ocean trenches known as the hadal zone.[6] For comparison, the pelagic zone is the descriptive term for the ecological region above the benthos, including the water column up to the surface. At the other end of the spectrum, benthos of the deep ocean includes the bottom levels of the oceanic abyssal zone.[7]

For information on animals that live in the deeper areas of the oceans see aphotic zone. Generally, these include life forms that tolerate cool temperatures and low oxygen levels, but this depends on the depth of the water.[8]

Lakes

As with oceans, the benthic zone is the floor of the lake, composed of accumulated sunken organic matter. The littoral zone is the zone bordering the shore; light penetrates easily and aquatic plants thrive. The pelagic zone represents the broad mass of water, down as far as the depth to which no light penetrates.[9]

Organisms

Main article: Benthos

Benthos are the organisms that live in the benthic zone, and are different from those elsewhere in the water column; even within the benthic zone variations in such factors as light penetration, temperature and salinity give rise to distinct differences, delineated vertically, in the groups of organisms supported.[10] Many organisms adapted to deep-water pressure cannot survive in the upper parts of the water column: the pressure difference can be very significant (approximately one atmosphere for each 10 meters of water depth). Many have adapted to live on the substrate (bottom). In their habitats they can be considered as dominant creatures, but they are often a source of prey for Carcharhinidae such as the lemon shark.[11]

Because light does not penetrate very deep into ocean-water, the energy source for the benthic ecosystem is often marine snow. Marine snow is organic matter from higher up in the water column that drifts down to the depths.[12] This dead and decaying matter sustains the benthic food chain; most organisms in the benthic zone are scavengers or detritivores. Some microorganisms use chemosynthesis to produce biomass.

Benthic organisms can be divided into two categories based on whether they make their home on the ocean floor or a few centimeters into the ocean floor. Those living on the surface of the ocean floor are known as epifauna.[13] Those who live burrowed into the ocean floor are known as infauna.[10] Extremophiles, including piezophiles, which thrive in high pressures, may also live there. An example of benthos organism is Chorismus antarcticus.

Nutrient flux

Sources of food for benthic communities can derive from the water column above these habitats in the form of aggregations of detritus, inorganic matter, and living organisms.[14] These aggregations are commonly referred to as marine snow, and are important for the deposition of organic matter, and bacterial communities.[15] The amount of material sinking to the ocean floor can average 307,000 aggregates per m2 per day.[16] This amount will vary on the depth of the benthos, and the degree of benthic-pelagic coupling. The benthos in a shallow region will have more available food than the benthos in the deep sea. Because of their reliance on it, microbes may become spatially dependent on detritus in the benthic zone. The microbes found in the benthic zone, specifically dinoflagellates and foraminifera, colonize quite rapidly on detritus matter while forming a symbiotic relationship with each other.[17][18] In the deep sea, which covers 90-95% of the ocean floor, 90% of the total biomass is made up of prokaryotes. To release all the nutrients locked inside these microbes to the environment, viruses are important in making it available to other organisms.[19][20]

Habitats

Modern seafloor mapping technologies have revealed linkages between seafloor geomorphology and benthic habitats, in which suites of benthic communities are associated with specific geomorphic settings.[21] Examples include cold-water coral communities associated with seamounts and submarine canyons, kelp forests associated with inner shelf rocky reefs and rockfish associated with rocky escarpments on continental slopes.[22] In oceanic environments, benthic habitats can also be zoned by depth. From the shallowest to the deepest are: the epipelagic (less than 200 meters), the mesopelagic (200–1,000 meters), the bathyal (1,000–4,000 meters), the abyssal (4,000–6,000 meters) and the deepest, the hadal (below 6,000 meters).[23]

The lower zones are in deep, pressurized areas of the ocean. Human impacts have occurred at all ocean depths, but are most significant on shallow continental shelf and slope habitats.[24] Many benthic organisms have retained their historic evolutionary characteristics. Some organisms are significantly larger than their relatives living in shallower zones, largely because of higher oxygen concentration in deep water.[25]

It is not easy to map or observe these organisms and their habitats, and most modern observations are made using remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs), and rarely submarines.[26][27]

Ecological research

Benthic macroinvertebrates have many important ecological functions, such as regulating the flow of materials and energy in river ecosystems through their food web linkages. Because of this correlation between flow of energy and nutrients, benthic macroinvertebrates have the ability to influence food resources on fish and other organisms in aquatic ecosystems. For example, the addition of a moderate amount of nutrients to a river over the course of several years resulted in increases in invertebrate richness, abundance, and biomass. These in turn resulted in increased food resources for native species of fish with insignificant alteration of the macroinvertebrate community structure and trophic pathways.[28] The presence of macroinvertebrates such as Amphipoda also affect the dominance of certain types of algae in Benthic ecosystems as well.[29] In addition, because benthic zones are influenced by the flow of dead organic material, there have been studies conducted on the relationship between stream and river water flows and the resulting effects on the benthic zone. Low flow events show a restriction in nutrient transport from benthic substrates to food webs, and caused a decrease in benthic macroinvertebrate biomass, which lead to the disappearance of food sources into the substrate.[30]

Because the benthic system regulates energy in aquatic ecosystems, studies have been made of the mechanisms of the benthic zone in order to better understand the ecosystem. Benthic diatoms have been used by the European Union's Water Framework Directive (WFD) to establish ecological quality ratios that determined the ecological status of lakes in the UK.[31] Beginning research is being made on benthic assemblages to see if they can be used as indicators of healthy aquatic ecosystems. Benthic assemblages in urbanized coastal regions are not functionally equivalent to benthic assemblages in untouched regions.[32]

Ecologists are attempting to understand the relationship between heterogeneity and maintaining biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems. Benthic algae has been used as an inherently good subject for studying short term changes and community responses to heterogeneous conditions in streams. Understanding the potential mechanisms involving benthic periphyton and the effects on heterogeneity within a stream may provide a better understanding of the structure and function of stream ecosystems.[33] Periphyton populations suffer from high natural spatial variability while difficult accessibility simultaneously limits the practicable number of samples that can be taken. Targeting periphyton locations which are known to provide reliable samples – especially hard surfaces – is recommended in the European Union benthic monitoring program (by Kelly 1998 for the United Kingdom then in the EU and for the EU as a whole by CEN 2003 and CEN 2004) and in some United States programs (by Moulton et al 2002).[34]: 60  Benthic gross primary production (GPP) may be important in maintaining biodiversity hotspots in littoral zones in large lake ecosystems. However, the relative contributions of benthic habitats within specific ecosystems are poorly explored and more research is planned.[35]

See also

References

  1. ^ The dictionary definition of benthos at Wiktionary
  2. ^ Wetzel, Robert G. (2001). Limnology: Lake and River Ecosystems, 3rd edn. Academic Press, San Diego. pp. 635–637.
  3. ^ Fenchel, T.; King, G.; Blackburn, T. H. (2012). Bacterial Biogeochemistry: The Ecophysiology of Mineral Cycling, 3rd edn. Academic Press, London. pp. 121–122.
  4. ^ "What Are Benthos?". Baybenthos.versar.com. 2006-01-23. Retrieved 2013-11-24.
  5. ^ Walag, Angelo (2022). "Understanding the world of Benthos: an introduction to Benthology". In Godson, Prince; et al. (eds.). Ecology and Biodiversity of Benthos. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. p. 1. ISBN 9780128211618.
  6. ^ Nichols, C. Reid; Williams, Robert G. (2009). "hadal zone". Encyclopedia of marine science. New York: Infobase. ISBN 9781438118819.
  7. ^ Nichols, Williams (2009): "abyssal zone"
  8. ^ Nichols, Williams (2009): "aphotic zone"
  9. ^ Silk, Nicole; Ciruna, Kristine (2005). A practitioner's guide to freshwater biodiversity conservation. Washington, DC: Island Press. ISBN 9781597260435.
  10. ^ a b Walag (2022) p.2
  11. ^ Bright, Michael (2000). The private life of sharks: the truth behind the myth. Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania: Stackpole Books. ISBN 0-8117-2875-7.
  12. ^ Matthiessen, Berte (2018). "Ecological Organization of the Ocean". In Salomon, Markus; et al. (eds.). Handbook on Marine Environment Protection. Berlin: Springer. p. 53. ISBN 978-3-319-60154-0.
  13. ^ "Epifaunal - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary". Merriam-webster.com. 2012-08-31. Retrieved 2013-11-24.
  14. ^ Godson (2022) p.90
  15. ^ Alldredge, Alice; Silver, Mary W. (1988). "Characteristics, dynamics and significance of marine snow". Progress in Oceanography. 20 (1): 41–82. Bibcode:1988PrOce..20...41A. doi:10.1016/0079-6611(88)90053-5.
  16. ^ Shanks, Alan; Trent, Jonathan D. (1980). "Marine snow: sinking rates and potential role in vertical flux". Deep-Sea Research. 27A (2): 137–143. Bibcode:1980DSRA...27..137S. doi:10.1016/0198-0149(80)90092-8.
  17. ^ "Foraminifera". Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  18. ^ "foraminifera". Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  19. ^ Seaborg, David (30 June 2023). Organisms Amplify Diversity: An Autocatalytic Hypothesis. CRC Press. ISBN 978-1-000-82638-8.
  20. ^ Danovaro, R.; Molari, M.; Corinaldesi, C.; Dell'Anno, A. (2016). "Macroecological drivers of archaea and bacteria in benthic deep-sea ecosystems". Science Advances. 2 (4): e1500961. Bibcode:2016SciA....2E0961D. doi:10.1126/sciadv.1500961. PMC 4928989. PMID 27386507.
  21. ^ Harris, P. T.; Baker, E. K. 2012. "GEOHAB Atlas of seafloor geomorphic features and benthic habitats – synthesis and lessons learned", in: Harris, P. T.; Baker, E. K. (eds.), Seafloor Geomorphology as Benthic Habitat: GeoHab Atlas of seafloor geomorphic features and benthic habitats. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 871-890.
  22. ^ Harris, P. T.; Baker, E. K.; 2012. Seafloor Geomorphology as Benthic Habitat: GeoHab Atlas of seafloor geomorphic features and benthic habitats. Elsevier, Amsterdam, p. 947.
  23. ^ "Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS)". 2012. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  24. ^ Harris, P. T., 2012. "Anthropogenic threats to benthic habitats", in: Harris, P. T.; Baker, E. K. (eds.), Seafloor Geomorphology as Benthic Habitat: GeoHab Atlas of seafloor geomorphic features and benthic habitats. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp. 39-60.
  25. ^ Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, news item March 2005 Archived September 28, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  26. ^ Clark, Malcolm; et al. (2016). Biological sampling in the deep sea. Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley. p. 30. ISBN 9781118332559.
  27. ^ Tillin, H. M.; et al. "Marine Monitoring Platform Guidelines: Remotely Operated Vehicles for use in marine benthic monitoring" (PDF). Peterborough, UK: Joint Nature Conservation Committee. p. 1. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
  28. ^ Minshall, Wayne; Shafii, Bahman; Price, William J.; Holderman, Charlie; Anders, Paul J.; Lester, Gary; Barrett, Pat (2014). "Effects of nutrient replacement on benthic macroinvertebrates in an ultraoligotrophic reach of the Kootenai River, 2003–2010". Freshwater Science. 33 (4): 1009–1023. doi:10.1086/677900. JSTOR 10.1086/677900. S2CID 84495019.
  29. ^ Duffy, J. Emmett; Hay, Mark E. (2000-05-01). "Strong impacts of grazing amphipods on the organization of a benthic community". Ecological Monographs. 70 (2): 237–263. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.473.4746. doi:10.1890/0012-9615(2000)070[0237:SIOGAO]2.0.CO;2. ISSN 0012-9615. S2CID 54598097.
  30. ^ Rolls, Robert; Leigh, Catherine; Sheldon, Fran (2012). "Mechanistic effects of low-flow hydrology on riverine ecosystems: ecological principles and consequences of alteration". Freshwater Science. 31 (4): 1163–1186. doi:10.1899/12-002.1. hdl:10072/48539. JSTOR 10.1899/12-002.1. S2CID 55593045.
  31. ^ Bennion, Helen; Kelly, Martyn G.; Juggins, Steve; Yallop, Marian L.; Burgess, Amy; Jamieson, Jane; Krokowski, Jan (2014). "Assessment of Ecological Status in UK lakes using benthic diatoms" (PDF). Freshwater Science. 33 (2): 639–654. doi:10.1086/675447. JSTOR 10.1086/675447. S2CID 33631675.
  32. ^ Lowe, Michael; Peterson, Mark S. (2014). "Effects of Coastal Urbanization on Salt-Marsh Faunal Assemblages in the Northern Gulf of Mexico". Marine and Coastal Fisheries: Dynamics, Management, and Ecosystem Science. 6: 89–107. doi:10.1080/19425120.2014.893467. hdl:1912/6981.
  33. ^ Wellnitz, Todd; Rader, Russell B. (2003). "Mechanisms influencing community composition and succession in mountain stream periphyton: interactions between scouring history, grazing, and irradiance". Journal of the North American Benthological Society. 22 (4): 528–541. doi:10.2307/1468350. JSTOR 1468350. S2CID 85061936.
  34. ^ Smol, John P. (2010). The Diatoms: Applications for the Environmental and Earth Sciences. Cambridge New York City: Cambridge University Press (CUP). ISBN 978-0-521-50996-1. OCLC 671782244.
  35. ^ Althouse, Bryan; Higgins, Scott; Vander Zanden, Jake M. (2014). "Benthic and Planktonic primary production along a nutrient gradient in Green Bay, Lake Michigan, USA". Freshwater Science. 33 (2): 487–498. doi:10.1086/676314. JSTOR 10.1086/676314. S2CID 84535584.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Benthic zones.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Benthic_zone&oldid=1226758881"