Benthos: the flora and fauna found at the bottom of the sea or lake. Covers quite a wide range of uses, for instance, animals in rock pools are benthic, though only a few inches below the surface. In the ocean, used to contrast organisms in the sea depths (though not actually on the bottom), with plankton, living in the upper pelagic zone. The problem is addressed by extending the pelagic zone down below the light to the bathypelagic and abyssopelagic zones. These terms, however, are mostly not used.
Benthos
Questions and Answers
Q: What is benthos?
A: Benthos refers to the flora and fauna that are found at the bottom of the sea or lake.
Q: What does benthic mean?
A: Benthic refers to animals living at the bottom of a water body.
Q: Are animals in rock pools considered benthic?
A: Yes, animals in rock pools are considered benthic despite being only a few inches below the surface.
Q: How does benthos differ from plankton?
A: Benthos refers to organisms at the bottom of the sea, while plankton are found in the upper pelagic zone.
Q: What are the bathypelagic and abyssopelagic zones?
A: The bathypelagic and abyssopelagic zones are the zones located beyond the reach of sunlight.
Q: Are the terms bathypelagic and abyssopelagic commonly used?
A: No, these terms are mostly not used.
Q: Why are the terms bathypelagic and abyssopelagic not commonly used?
A: The problem of contrasting organisms living deep in the sea with plankton can be addressed by extending the pelagic zone down below the light, and therefore, these terms are mostly not used.