Holt Environmental Science Chapter 7 Vocab

barrier island

a long ridge of sand or narrow island that lies parallel to the shore

benthic zone

The bottom region of oceans and bodies of fresh water

benthos

organisms (plants and animals) that live at or near the bottom of a sea

coral reef

a limestone ridge found in tropical climates and composed of coral fragments that are deposited around organic remains

estuary

an area where fresh water from rivers mixes with salt water from the ocean

eutrophication

an increase in the amount of nutrients, such as nitrates, in a marine or aquatic ecosystem

littoral zone

a shallow zone in a freshwater habitat where light reaches the bottom and nurtures plants

mangrove swamp

a tropical or subtropical marine swamp that is characterized by the abundance of low to tall trees, especially mangrove trees

nekton

all organisms that swim actively in open water, independent of currents

plankton

the mass of mostly microscopic organisms that float or drift freely in freshwater and marine environments

salt marsh

a maritime habitat characterized by grasses, sedges, and other plants that have adapted to continual, periodic flooding; salt marshes are found primarily throughout the temperate and subarctic regions

wetlands

landscapes that are covered with water for at least part of the year