Wetland and Aquatic Ecosystems

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Marsh

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An area of soft, wet, low-lying land, characterized by grassy vegetation (more grasses and reeds) and often forming a transition zone between water and land.

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Swamp

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A forested (has trees) wetland, partially covered with water.

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Estuary

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A coastal body of water that connects to the ocean in which fresh water from a river mixes with saltwater from the ocean.

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Delta

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A landform that is formed at the mouth of a river, where the river flows into an ocean, sea, estuary, lake, or reservoir.

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Headwaters

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The furthest spot in a river or stream from its estuary or confluence with another river, as measured along the course of the river.

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Nekton

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Organisms that can swim freely and are independent of currents, they can be microscopic organisms or even as large as whales.

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Benthos

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Aquatic organisms that live on the bottom of the ocean floor, or lake.

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Pelagic

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Inhabiting the upper layers of the open sea.

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Phytoplankton

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The single organism, plant group of plankton which drift in the ocean. (photosynthetic)

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Zooplankton

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Plankton consisting of small animals and the immature stages of larger animals.