Wildlife of Britain

Benthic Wildlife of Britain Benthic means relating to the bottom of a body of water, such as the seafloor, the bottom of a lake, or a riverbed. The term comes from the benthic zone, which is the ecological region at the lowest level of a body of water. Examples: Benthic organisms are animals, plants, fungi, or microbes that live on or in the bottom sediments. Examples include crab, sea star, clam, worms, and many types of bacteria. Benthic habitats include sandy bottoms, muddy sediments, rocky reefs, and deep-sea plains. Benthic ecology is the study of organisms and ecosystems associated with these bottom environments. For contrast: Pelagic refers to the open water away from the bottom. Benthic refers specifically to the bottom or organisms that live there. Benthic Britain The UK has exceptionally rich benthic wildlife because it is surrounded by diverse seas, ranging from shallow coastal mudflats to deep ocean trenches. These bottom-dwelling ecosystems are vital for biodiversity, fish...