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#neritic zone

2 public questions tagged with this topic.

ECOSYSTEM TYPES

What describes the neritic zone?

The neritic zone is the shallow marine water extending from the low-tide margin to the edge of the continental shelf. Its exact offshore width varies because continental shelves may be narrow or hundreds of kilometres broad, but depth commonly remains below about 200 metres. Sunlight can reach much or all of this water column, while rivers, coastal runoff, sediment resuspension, and upwelling often supply nutrients. These conditions support phytoplankton, seaweeds, seagrasses, benthic invertebrates, fishes, and many commercial fisheries. The neritic zone is not simply the shoreline: the intert

Ref: Ecology: Concepts and Applications, Molles, 9th Ed., Ch. 2-3

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ECOSYSTEM TYPES

Which oceanic zone has highest biodiversity?

The epipelagic zone, extending from the surface to roughly 200 metres, generally supports the greatest biodiversity among the listed open-ocean depth zones because it receives enough light for photosynthesis. Phytoplankton convert solar energy and inorganic nutrients into organic matter, forming the energetic base for zooplankton, fishes, turtles, marine mammals, and numerous predators. Warm temperatures, relatively high oxygen, wave-driven mixing, and habitat variation near fronts and floating structures further expand ecological opportunities. Much of the ocean’s primary production occurs he

Ref: Ecology: Concepts and Applications, Molles, 9th Ed., Ch. 2-3

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