Aquatic Ecosystems

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What are the three zones of a pond?

Back

1. Littoral Zone: Near the shore, shallow, and supports a variety of plants and animals. 2. Limnetic Zone: Open water, well-lit, supports plankton and fish. 3. Profundal Zone: Deep water, low light, limited photosynthesis.

Front

What is the littoral zone?

Back

The littoral zone is the shallow area near the shore of a pond or lake where sunlight penetrates, allowing aquatic plants to grow.

Front

What is the limnetic zone?

Back

The limnetic zone is the open water area of a pond or lake that is well-lit and supports plankton and fish.

Front

What is the profundal zone?

Back

The profundal zone is the deep, dark part of a pond or lake where light does not penetrate, leading to low levels of photosynthesis.

Front

What is a marsh?

Back

A marsh is a type of wetland characterized by herbaceous plants, no trees, and a normal pH level.

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What is a swamp?

Back

A swamp is a wetland that is dominated by woody plants and trees.

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What is a bog?

Back

A bog is a type of wetland that accumulates peat, has acidic waters, and supports specialized plant species.

Front

What are decomposers?

Back

Decomposers are organisms, such as bacteria and fungi, that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Front

What is biological diversity?

Back

Biological diversity refers to the variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem, including the number of species and their relative abundance.

Front

What is plankton?

Back

Plankton are small organisms that drift in water, including phytoplankton (plant-like) and zooplankton (animal-like).