BIOL150 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Benthic Zone, Photic Zone, Oceanic Zone
26 Sep 2017
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Document Summary
In pure sea water, virtually no light reaches depths greater than 40m. In seawater that contains organisms or debris, light penetration is dramatically less than pure sea water. Ponds and lakes are distinguished by size ponds = small, lakes = large. Occur in high latitudes formed in depressions that were created by soaring glaciers. Wetlands shallow water habitats where soil is saturated with water for at least part of the year: distinguished from terrestrial habitats by the presence of indicator plants that grow only in saturated soil. Water depth distinction from lakes: they only have shallow water, they have emergent vegetation plants that grow above the surface of the water, emergent plants can capture sunlight before it strikes the water. Water flow & nutrient availability: ex. Marshes non woody plants, lack trees and typically feature grasses, reeds: water flow is slow but steady, ample supplies of oxygenated water and sunlight and nutrients available for rapid decomposition.
