Discover published sets by community

Organisms that live on, in, or near the bottom of aquatic environments, including both sedentary and mobile species.

The biological conversion of one or more carbon molecules (usually carbon dioxide or methane) and nutrients into organic matter using the oxidation of inorganic molecules as a source of energy, rather than sunlight, as in photosynthesis.

The physiological process by which an organism regulates the water content and salt concentration within its body to maintain homeostasis.

A measure of the cloudiness of water caused by large numbers of individual particles that are generally invisible to the naked eye, similar to smoke in the air.

The loss of color in corals due to the expulsion or death of their symbiotic micro-algae, usually caused by water temperature increases or pollution.

The production and emission of light by a living organism, commonly seen in deep-sea marine creatures as a result of chemical reactions within their bodies.

The cultivation or farming of the larval stage of various aquatic animals, such as fish and shellfish, for commercial purposes or species conservation.

Dead particulate organic material, including decomposing plants and animals and fecal matter, which is a food source for many benthic organisms.

The open ocean or water column that is not near the coast or sea floor, often categorized by different depths, such as the epipelagic and mesopelagic zones.

A bony plate that covers and protects the gills in bony fishes; it also serves in pumping water over the gills, allowing the fish to breathe.

A coastal area where fresh water from rivers and streams mixes with salt water from the ocean, creating a unique and productive ecosystem.

Strong, silky fibers secreted by certain mollusks to enable them to attach themselves to a solid surface, such as a rock or boat hull.

Small floating or weakly swimming animals that drift with water currents, many of which feed on phytoplankton.

The process where a body of water becomes overly enriched with nutrients, leading to excessive growth of algae and depletion of oxygen.

Refers to fish that are born in fresh water, spend most of their lives in salt water, and return to fresh water to spawn.

Microscopic, photosynthetic organisms found in aquatic environments, forming the base of many aquatic food webs.

A layer in a body of water or ocean where temperature changes more rapidly with depth than it does in the layers above or below.

Relating to fish that live on or near the seabed, as opposed to pelagic fish, which live in the open water above the sea floor.

Tropical trees or shrubs that grow in coastal saline or brackish water, with a complex root system that helps protect coastlines and supports rich biological habitats.

A layer of water in which the salinity changes rapidly with changes in depth, often forming a distinct layer separating fresher water from more saline water.

A method used by fisheries biologists to estimate fish populations and gather data on sizes and species compositions by interviewing anglers and measuring their catch.

Aquatic animals that are able to swim against the current and move independently of water currents, unlike plankton.

Water that has a higher salt content than fresh water but not as much as seawater, typically found in estuaries.

A condition in which there is a deficiency of oxygen in the water, which can cause stress or death to aquatic organisms.